Hyphenation ofoverabstemiousness

Analysis of "overabstemiousness" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced /ˌəʊvəræbˈstiːmiəsnes/ in General British English.

2. Syllable Division: over-a-bste-mi-ous-ness

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: over- (Germanic origin, intensifying prefix) - indicates excess.
• Root: abstemious (Latin abstemius - from ab- 'from' + temetum 'intoxicating drink') - meaning moderate, sparing, or self-restrained, especially in eating and drinking.
• Suffix: -ness (English suffix, from Old English -nes ) - forms a noun denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable: /ˌəʊvəræbˈstiːmiəsnes/.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˌəʊvəræbˈstiːmiəsnes/

6. Edge Case Review: The sequence "st" within a syllable is common in English and doesn't present a significant edge case. The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is standard.

7. Grammatical Role: The word functions solely as a noun. There are no syllabification or stress shifts based on grammatical function.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Excessive or exaggerated abstinence; extreme self-denial.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: self-denial, asceticism, severity, strictness
• Antonyms: indulgence, excess, hedonism
• Examples: "His overabstemiousness led to a rather joyless existence." "The monk's overabstemiousness was admired by some, but seen as extreme by others."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Temperance: tem-pe-rance (3 syllables) - Similar vowel structure, but simpler morphology. Stress on the second syllable.
• Abstinence: ab-sti-nence (3 syllables) - Shares the root abstemious. Stress on the second syllable.
• Moderation: mod-er-a-tion (4 syllables) - Similar concept, but different morphological structure. Stress on the second syllable.

The longer length of "overabstemiousness" and the addition of the prefix and suffix contribute to its increased syllable count and altered stress pattern compared to these simpler words.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel Division: Syllables are generally divided around vowels.
2. Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable unless they are unpronounceable.
3. Stress Placement: Stress influences syllable prominence and vowel reduction.

Special Considerations:

• The word's length and complex morphology make it relatively uncommon, potentially leading to variations in pronunciation among speakers.
• The schwa sound /ə/ is common in unstressed syllables in English.
• The "st" cluster is a permissible syllable-final consonant cluster in English.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the provided IPA transcription represents General British English, some regional variations might exist, particularly in vowel quality. However, the syllable division is unlikely to change significantly.

Short Analysis:

"Overabstemiousness" is a seven-syllable noun meaning excessive self-denial. It's formed from the prefix "over-", the root "abstemious" (Latin origin), and the suffix "-ness". The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable. Syllable division follows standard English vowel-based rules, with permissible consonant clusters.