irrelevant
4 dictionary results for: irrelevant
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ir·rel·e·vant 
[i-rel-uh-vuhnt] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[i-rel-uh-vuhnt] Pronunciation Key –adjective
| 1. | not relevant; not applicable or pertinent: His lectures often stray to interesting but irrelevant subjects. |
| 2. | Law. (of evidence) having no probative value upon any issue in the case. |
[Origin: 1780–90]
] —Related forms
ir·rel·e·vant·ly, adverb
—Pronunciation note The pronunciation of irrelevant
[i-rel-uh-vuhnt] Pronunciation Key, as
[i-rev-uh-luhnt], as if spelled irrevelant, is the result of metathesis, the transposition of two sounds, in this case, the
[l] and the
[v]. Relevant, the base word, is occasionally subject to the same process. Analogy with words like prevalent and equivalent may play a role. A similar reordering of the
[l] and
[v] consonant sounds, althought not a strict one-to-one metathesis, can be heard for Calvary
[kal-vuh-ree] when pronounced
[kav-uhl-ree]. Here the transposition is reinforced by the existence of the familiar word cavalry.
[i-rel-uh-vuhnt] Pronunciation Key, as
[i-rev-uh-luhnt], as if spelled irrevelant, is the result of metathesis, the transposition of two sounds, in this case, the
[l] and the
[v]. Relevant, the base word, is occasionally subject to the same process. Analogy with words like prevalent and equivalent may play a role. A similar reordering of the
[l] and
[v] consonant sounds, althought not a strict one-to-one metathesis, can be heard for Calvary
[kal-vuh-ree] when pronounced
[kav-uhl-ree]. Here the transposition is reinforced by the existence of the familiar word cavalry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| ir·rel·e·vant
(ĭ-rěl'ə-vənt) Pronunciation Key
adj. Unrelated to the matter being considered. ir·rel'e·vant·ly adv. Synonyms: These adjectives mean not pertinent to the subject under consideration: an irrelevant comment; a question extraneous to the discussion; an objection that is immaterial; mentioned several impertinent facts. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| irrelevant | |
adjective | |
| having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue; "an irrelevant comment"; "irrelevant allegations" [ant: relevant] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ir·rel·e·vant
Pronunciation: ir-'re-l&-v&nt
Function: adjective
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent <irrelevant allegations> <irrelevant evidence> —compare IMMATERIAL —ir·rel·e·vant·ly adverb
Main Entry: ir·rel·e·vant
Pronunciation: ir-'re-l&-v&nt
Function: adjective
: not relevant : not applicable or pertinent <irrelevant allegations> <irrelevant evidence> —compare IMMATERIAL —ir·rel·e·vant·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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