Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

syllables

 - 4 dictionary results

syl⋅la⋅ble

  [sil-uh-buhl] noun, verb, -bled, -bling.
Use syllables in a Sentence
–noun
1. an uninterrupted segment of speech consisting of a center of relatively great sonority with or without one or more accompanying sounds of relatively less sonority: “Man,” “eye,” “strength,” and “sixths” are English words of one syllable.
2. one or more written letters or characters representing more or less exactly such an element of speech.
3. the slightest portion or amount of speech or writing; the least mention: Do not breathe a syllable of all this.
–verb (used with object)
4. to utter in syllables; articulate.
5. to represent by syllables.
–verb (used without object)
6. to utter syllables; speak.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME sillable < AF; MF sillabe < L syllaba < Gk syllab, equiv. to syl- syl- + lab- (base of lambánein to take) + -ē n. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To syllables
syl·la·ble   (sĭl'ə-bəl)   
n.  

    1. A unit of spoken language consisting of a single uninterrupted sound formed by a vowel, diphthong, or syllabic consonant alone, or by any of these sounds preceded, followed, or surrounded by one or more consonants.

    2. One or more letters or phonetic symbols written or printed to approximate a spoken syllable.

  2. The slightest bit of spoken or written expression: Do not alter a syllable of this message.

tr.v.   syl·la·bled, syl·la·bling, syl·la·bles
To pronounce in syllables.

[Middle English sillable, from Anglo-Norman, alteration of Old French sillabe, from Latin syllaba, from Greek sullabē, from sullabein, second aorist of sullambanein, to combine in pronunciation : sun-, syn- + lambanein, to take.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

syllable

A basic unit of speech generally containing only one vowel sound. The word basic contains two syllables (ba-sic). The word generally contains four (gen-er-al-ly). (See hyphen.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

syllable 
c.1384, from Anglo-Fr. sillable, from O.Fr. sillabe, from L. syllaba, from Gk. syllabe "a syllable, several sounds or letters taken together," lit. "a taking together," from syn- "together" + stem of lambanein "to take" (see analemma). The extra -l- was added by analogy with participle and principle.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see syllables on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way