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Word Analysis

pocket-handkerchief

Complete linguistic analysis including syllable division, pronunciation, morphology, and definitions.

5 syllables
19 characters
English (GB)
Enriched
Fig. 1 — . The composing stick. “pocket-handkerchief” is set in lead; each gap is a place it may break.
5syllables

pockethandkerchief

Linguistic Analysis

Syllables

pock-et-hand-ker-chief

Pronunciation

/ˌpɒkɪtˈhæŋkəˌtʃiːf/

Stress

01011

Morphemes

pocket + handkerchief

The word 'pocket-handkerchief' is divided into five syllables: pock-et-hand-ker-chief. It's a compound noun with primary stress on 'hand' and secondary stress on 'pock'. The syllabification follows standard onset-rime principles, with vowel sounds forming syllable nuclei.

Definitions

noun
  1. 1

    A small cloth carried on the person for wiping the nose, face, or hands.

    “He pulled a clean pocket-handkerchief from his coat.”

Stress pattern

Primary stress on the third syllable ('hand'), secondary stress on the first syllable ('pock'). The remaining syllables are unstressed.

Syllables

5
pock/pɒk/
et/ɪt/
hand/hænd/
ker/kə/
chief/tʃiːf/

pock — Open syllable, onset 'p', rime 'ock'. et — Closed syllable, onset 't', rime 'et'. hand — Open syllable, onset 'h', rime 'and'. ker — Open syllable, onset 'k', rime 'er', schwa vowel. chief — Closed syllable, onset 'ch', rime 'ief'

Onset-Rime Structure

Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and rime (vowel and any following consonants).

Vowel Rule

Each vowel sound typically forms a syllable.

  • Compound word structure influences stress pattern.
  • Potential regional variations in 'h' aspiration.
  • Hyphenated form reflects historical development.
Analysis by gemma3:27b · 6/6/2025
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