Elide: meaning, definitions and examples

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elide

 

[ ɪˈlaɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

linguistic use

To elide means to omit or slur a syllable, sound, or word when speaking. This often occurs in casual speech or poetry to maintain rhythm or flow. Elision can alter the way words are heard by shortening their phonetic length, which can reflect colloquial language or dialects. It can also be a stylistic choice in writing to create a more informal tone.

Synonyms

omit, remove, slur

Examples of usage

  • He will become 'he'll' in natural speech.
  • The phrase 'I am going to' often becomes 'I'm gonna'.
  • In poetry, some syllables are frequently elided for meter.

Translations

Translations of the word "elide" in other languages:

🇵🇹 omitir

🇮🇳 छोड़ना

🇩🇪 auslassen

🇮🇩 menghilangkan

🇺🇦 опустити

🇵🇱 pominąć

🇯🇵 省略する

🇫🇷 omettre

🇪🇸 omitir

🇹🇷 atlamak

🇰🇷 생략하다

🇸🇦 تجاهل

🇨🇿 vynechat

🇸🇰 vynechať

🇨🇳 省略

🇸🇮 izpustiti

🇮🇸 sleppa

🇰🇿 өткізіп алу

🇬🇪 გამოტოვება

🇦🇿 atlamaq

🇲🇽 omitir

Etymology

The word 'elide' originates from the Latin term 'elidere', which means 'to strike out or remove' (from 'e-' meaning 'out' and 'linere' meaning 'to smear'). It was adopted into Middle French as 'élider', retaining its meaning of omitting or leaving out. The term entered the English lexicon in the late 19th century, primarily used in linguistic contexts to describe phonetic reduction in speech. Its use has been increasingly prominent with the rise of informal speech patterns in modern language usage, as well as in discussions about poetry and aesthetics in writing. The evolution of the word reflects broader trends in language, where elision can simplify communication in fast-paced environments.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,710, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.