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Sibilance Meaning: Definition and Examples

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sibilance

[ˈsɪbɪləns ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

sound feature

Sibilance refers to a hissing or hushing sound often produced by consonants like 's', 'sh', 'z', and 'zh'. It is commonly used in poetry and literature to create a specific auditory effect or mood. This sound feature can enhance the musical quality of writing and speech.

Synonyms

hissing, hush, whistling.

Examples of usage

  • The sibilance in her voice added a sensual quality to the poem.
  • He noticed the sibilance of the waves crashing against the shore.
  • The music featured prominent sibilance, making it soothing to the ears.
  • Her speech contained sibilance that drew the audience's attention.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Writers often use sibilance to create a soft, soothing sound in poetry, enhancing the mood or tone.
  • Famous poets like T.S. Eliot and John Keats employed sibilance to evoke feelings and paint vivid scenes.
  • It can also create tension in writing, making certain words pop by contrasting smooth and sharp sounds.

Music

  • Sibilance is important in music production, particularly in recording vocals, where too much can cause a harsh sound.
  • In genres like hip-hop and pop, artists use sibilance to emphasize rhythm and enhance lyrical flow.

Linguistics

  • Sibilance occurs in many languages and is a key feature in phonetics, showing how sound affects meaning.
  • Some languages have specific terms for different types of sibilant sounds, highlighting their linguistic importance.

Psychology

  • Our brains are wired to identify sibilance as a signal, often associating it with danger or alertness in nature.
  • Research shows that listeners may react more strongly to sibilant sounds during spoken communication, affecting communication dynamics.

Origin of 'sibilance'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin 'sibilare', which means 'to hiss', perfectly reflecting the sound it describes.
  • It entered the English language in the early 20th century, illustrating how new terms can develop from older languages.

The term 'sibilance' originates from the Latin word 'sibilare,' meaning 'to hiss.' This Latin root reflects the sound characteristics associated with the word. The usage of 'sibilance' in English dates back to the 19th century, where it was used in the context of sound studies and literature. Over time, it has expanded beyond literary analysis to include discussions in linguistics, music, and audio engineering, where the control of sibilance is important for achieving clarity and quality in spoken and recorded sound. Because many languages contain sibilant sounds, the concept of sibilance is relevant across cultures, contributing to its ongoing significance in various forms of art and communication.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,651, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.