selfmaintenance
The word 'self-maintenance' is divided into four syllables: self-main-ten-ance. Stress falls on 'ten'. It comprises a prefix 'self-', root 'maintain-', and suffix '-ance'. Syllabification follows standard English rules of onset-rime and vowel-coda division.
Definitions
- 1
The act of looking after oneself, especially in terms of health and well-being.
“Regular exercise is an important part of self-maintenance.”
“She prioritizes self-maintenance to avoid burnout.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('ten'). The first and fourth syllables are unstressed.
Syllables
self — Open syllable, consonant blend onset.. main — Open syllable, diphthong nucleus.. ten — Open, stressed syllable.. ance — Closed syllable, schwa vowel.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Onset-Rime
Consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable are maintained as the onset.
Vowel-Coda
The vowel forms the nucleus, and any following consonants form the coda.
- Potential vowel reduction in 'maintenance' in some dialects.
- The /l/ in 'self' could be syllabified separately in rapid speech, but standard syllabification keeps it with 'se'.
Nearby Words
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