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Definition of pronounces - 2 dictionary results

pro⋅nounce

  [pruh-nouns] verb, -nounced, -nounc⋅ing.
Use pronounces in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to enunciate or articulate (sounds, words, sentences, etc.).
2. to utter or sound in a particular manner in speaking: He pronounces his words indistinctly.
3. to utter or articulate in the accepted or correct manner: I can't pronounce this word.
4. to declare (a person or thing) to be as specified: She pronounced it the best salmon she had ever tasted.
5. to utter or deliver formally or solemnly: to pronounce sentence.
6. to announce authoritatively or officially: The judge pronounced the defendant guilty.
7. to indicate the pronunciation of (words) by providing a phonetic transcription: This dictionary pronounces most of the words entered.
–verb (used without object)
8. to pronounce words, phrases, etc.
9. to make a statement or assertion, esp. an authoritative statement (often fol. by on): He was required to pronounce on the findings of his research.
10. to give an opinion or decision (usually fol. by on): to pronounce on an important matter.
11. to indicate the pronunciation of words: a spelling book that pronounces.
Origin:
1300–50; ME pronouncen < MF prononcier < L prōnūntiāre to proclaim, announce, recite, utter. See pro- 1 , announce

Related forms:
pro⋅nounce⋅a⋅ble, adjective
pro⋅nounce⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
pro⋅nounc⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pronounces
pro·nounce   (prə-nouns')   
v.   pro·nounced, pro·nounc·ing, pro·nounc·es

v.   tr.
    1. To use the organs of speech to make heard (a word or speech sound); utter.
    2. To say clearly, correctly, or in a given manner: learning to pronounce French; pronounced my name wrong.
  2. To represent (a word) in phonetic symbols.
  3. To declare officially or formally: pronounced the legislature to be in session; was pronounced dead on arrival.
v.   intr.
  1. To say words; speak.
  2. To declare one's opinion; make a pronouncement: pronouncing on the issues of the day.

[Middle English pronouncen, from Old French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiāre : prō-, forth; see pro-1 + nūntiāre, to announce (from nūntius, messenger; see neu- in Indo-European roots).]
pro·nounce'a·ble adj., pro·nounc'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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