semiaquaintance
Syllables
sem-i-a-quain-tance
Pronunciation
/ˌsemiːəˈkweɪntəns/
Stress
00101
Morphemes
semi- + acquaint + -ance
The word 'semiacquaintance' is divided into five syllables: sem-i-a-quain-tance. It consists of the prefix 'semi-', the root 'acquaint', and the suffix '-ance'. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('quain'). Syllable division follows standard English onset-rime rules and vowel-nucleus principles.
Definitions
- 1
A person with whom one has only slight or casual acquaintance.
“He was little more than a semiacquaintance, someone I'd met at a conference.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('quain'). The first and second syllables are unstressed, and the last syllable receives secondary stress.
Syllables
sem — Open syllable, onset-rime structure.. i — Open syllable, vowel as sole constituent.. a — Open syllable, vowel as sole constituent, schwa vowel.. quain — Closed syllable, complex onset.. tance — Closed syllable, onset-rime structure.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Onset-Rime
Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and rime (vowel and any following consonants).
Vowel as Syllable Nucleus
Each syllable must contain a vowel sound, which serves as the nucleus.
- Potential vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
- The 'semi-' prefix doesn't pose a significant syllabification challenge in this case.
Nearby Words
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