sesquipedalianism
Syllables
se-squi-pe-da-li-an-ism
Pronunciation
/ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪliənɪzəm/
Stress
0101011
Morphemes
sesqui- + ped- + -alian
Sesquipedalianism is a seven-syllable noun with primary stress on the fourth syllable. It's derived from Latin roots and suffixes, and its syllabification follows standard English rules, with minor considerations for the 'qu' digraph. It denotes the use of long and obscure words.
Definitions
- 1
The use of long and obscure words.
“His speech was full of sesquipedalianism, making it difficult to understand.”
“The professor accused the student of using sesquipedalianism to show off.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('da'), with secondary stress on the first syllable ('se').
Syllables
se — Open syllable, initial syllable.. squi — Closed syllable, contains digraph 'qu'. pe — Open syllable.. da — Open syllable, contains diphthong 'ai'. li — Open syllable.. an — Open syllable.. ism — Closed syllable, final syllable.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Vowel-Ending Syllables
Syllables generally end in a vowel sound, leading to division before the next consonant.
Consonant-Ending Syllables
Syllables end in a consonant sound, creating a closed syllable.
Digraphs
Digraphs like 'qu' are treated as single consonant sounds for syllabification.
- The 'qu' digraph requires special consideration as a single consonant sound.
- The length of the word and the presence of multiple vowel sounds contribute to its complexity.
Nearby Words
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