quasilegitimate
Syllables
qua-si-le-gi-ti-ma-te
Pronunciation
/ˈkweɪziː leʤɪtɪmət/
Stress
0010000
Morphemes
quasi- + legit- + -imate
The word 'quasi-legitimate' is divided into seven syllables: qua-si-le-gi-ti-ma-te. It consists of the Latin prefix 'quasi-', the root 'legit-', and the suffix '-imate'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('leg'). Syllabification follows standard English rules of onset-rime and vowel-coda division, with considerations for the 'qu' digraph and the pronunciation of 'g' before 'i'.
Definitions
- 1
Appearing to be legitimate but not actually so; spurious or questionable.
“The document was quasi-legitimate, bearing a forged signature.”
“He offered a quasi-legitimate excuse for his absence.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('leg'), typical for words ending in '-ate'.
Syllables
qua — Open syllable, onset 'kw', rime 'ɑː'. si — Closed syllable, onset 's', rime 'iː'. le — Open syllable, onset 'l', rime 'e'. gi — Closed syllable, onset 'dʒ', rime 'i'. ti — Closed syllable, onset 't', rime 'i'. ma — Open syllable, onset 'm', rime 'eɪ'. te — Closed syllable, onset 't', rime 'e'
Word Parts
Similar Words
Onset-Rime
Dividing syllables based on the consonant cluster forming the onset and the vowel and following consonants forming the rime.
Vowel-Coda
Syllables are often divided after a vowel, especially if followed by a consonant cluster (coda).
Stress-Timing
English is a stress-timed language, influencing syllable prominence and duration.
- The 'qu' digraph is treated as a single onset.
- The pronunciation of 'g' before 'i' as /dʒ/ is a common phonetic rule.
- Stress placement is influenced by the '-ate' suffix.
Nearby Words
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