Hyphenation ofclear-complexioned

Linguistic Analysis of "clear-complexioned"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "clear-complexioned" is a compound adjective. Its pronunciation in US English involves a relatively straightforward application of English syllabification rules, though the length and complexity require careful consideration.

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

clear-com-plex-ioned

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• clear-: Prefix (Old English clǣre - meaning 'bright, shining, obvious'). Morphological function: modifies the meaning of the root.
• complex-: Root (Latin complexus - meaning 'entwined, composed of parts'). Morphological function: core meaning relating to intricacy.
• -ioned: Suffix (English -ed, originally a past tense marker, here forming an adjectival participle). Morphological function: creates an adjective from a verb (complex + -ioned).

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: com-plex-ioned.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌklɪr kɑmˈplɛksɪnd/

6. Edge Case Review:

The compound nature of the word presents a slight edge case. While compound words often have stress patterns that differ from simple words, in this case, the stress falls predictably on the root syllable of the second element ("complex").

7. Grammatical Role:

"clear-complexioned" functions solely as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Having a complexion that is clear and intricate, often implying a healthy and detailed skin tone.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: fair-skinned, radiant, healthy-looking
• Antonyms: blemished, sallow, unhealthy-looking
• Examples: "She had a clear-complexioned face that glowed in the sunlight."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• "understandable": un-der-stand-a-ble. Similar syllable structure with prefixes and suffixes. Stress falls on the third syllable, mirroring "clear-complexioned".
• "unforgettable": un-for-get-ta-ble. Similar prefix and suffix structure. Stress on the third syllable.
• "multicolored": mul-ti-col-ored. Similar compound structure with multiple morphemes. Stress on the third syllable.

The consistent stress on the root syllable in these examples demonstrates a common pattern in English adjectives formed with prefixes and suffixes.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel-Final Syllable Rule: Syllables typically end in vowels.
2. Consonant-Final Syllable Rule: Syllables can end in consonants, especially when followed by a vowel.
3. Consonant Cluster Rule: Pronounceable consonant clusters remain within a syllable.

Special Considerations:

• The compound nature of the word could potentially lead to alternative stress patterns, but the established pattern of stressing the root syllable prevails.
• Regional variations in pronunciation might slightly alter the vowel sounds, but the syllable division remains consistent.

Short Analysis:

"clear-complexioned" is a compound adjective divided into four syllables: clear-com-plex-ioned. The primary stress falls on "plex". The word is morphologically composed of a prefix ("clear-"), a root ("complex-"), and a suffix ("-ioned"). Syllabification follows standard English rules based on vowel and consonant patterns.