Syllabic: meaning, definitions and examples

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syllabic

 

[ sɪˈlæbɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

linguistics system

Syllabic refers to a phonetic characteristic of a language or its elements, where a syllable is treated as a distinct unit of sound. It is particularly common in certain languages where each syllable may correspond to a vowel sound, and often influences how words are structured. Syllabic structures can be observed in various types of poetry and music, making it an essential concept in phonetics and linguistics. In English, a syllabic consonant can take the role of a vowel in a syllable when no vowel is present.

Synonyms

phonetic, syllable-based, vowel-like

Examples of usage

  • The word 'button' has a syllabic sound.
  • She studies syllabic patterns in poetry.
  • Syllabic languages often have unique tonal qualities.

Translations

Translations of the word "syllabic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 silábico

🇮🇳 स्वरात्मक

🇩🇪 silbisch

🇮🇩 sukukata

🇺🇦 складовий

🇵🇱 syllabiczny

🇯🇵 音節の

🇫🇷 syllabique

🇪🇸 silábico

🇹🇷 hece

🇰🇷 음절의

🇸🇦 مقطعي

🇨🇿 sylabický

🇸🇰 sylabický

🇨🇳 音节的

🇸🇮 slogovni

🇮🇸 sýnd

🇰🇿 буындық

🇬🇪 სილაბური

🇦🇿 heca

🇲🇽 silábico

Etymology

The term 'syllabic' originates from the Latin word 'syllaba,' which in turn derives from the Greek 'syllabē,' meaning 'a taking together.' This reflects the concept of grouping sounds into units, or syllables, for easier understanding and pronunciation. The study of syllables has a rich background in linguistics, phonetics, and language acquisition, dating back to ancient civilizations that emphasized the importance of sound and rhythm in communication. Over time, the use of the word 'syllabic' has evolved to encompass various aspects of language, including its application in poetry and the identification of phonetic elements within syllables.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,901, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.