syllable

The definition of a syllable is a part of a word that is pronounced with one uninterrupted sound.

(noun)

An example of syllable is "kit" in the word kitchen.

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See syllable in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a word or part of a word pronounced with a single, uninterrupted sounding of the voice; unit of pronunciation, consisting of a single sound of great sonority (usually a vowel) and generally one or more sounds of lesser sonority (usually consonants)
  2. any of the parts into which a written word is often divided, as at the end of a line, in approximate conformity to the spoken syllables: in this dictionary, recommended divisions at the end of a line are shown by centered dots
  3. the least bit of expression; slightest detail, as of something said

Origin: ME sillable < OFr sillabe < L syllaba < Gr syllabē, a syllable, lit., that which holds together < syllambanein, to join < syn-, together + lambanein, to hold < IE base *(s)lagw-, to grasp > latch

transitive verb syllabled, syllabling

to pronounce in or as in syllables

See syllable in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A unit of spoken language consisting of a single uninterrupted sound formed by a vowel, diphthong, or syllabic consonant alone, or by any of these sounds preceded, followed, or surrounded by one or more consonants.
    b. One or more letters or phonetic symbols written or printed to approximate a spoken syllable.
  2. The slightest bit of spoken or written expression: Do not alter a syllable of this message.
transitive verb syl·la·bled, syl·la·bling, syl·la·bles
To pronounce in syllables.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sillable

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman

Origin: , alteration of Old French sillabe

Origin: , from Latin syllaba

Origin: , from Greek sullabē

Origin: , from sullabein

Origin: , second aorist of sullambanein, to combine in pronunciation

Origin: : sun-, syn-

Origin: + lambanein, to take

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