counterstratagem
Syllables
coun-ter-strat-a-gem
Pronunciation
/ˌkaʊntərˈstrætədʒəm/
Stress
20100
Morphemes
counter- + stratagem
'Counterstratagem' is a five-syllable compound noun (coun-ter-strat-a-gem) combining the prefix 'counter-' with 'stratagem'. Primary stress falls on 'strat', with secondary stress on 'coun'. The morpheme boundary between 'counter-' and 'stratagem' is preserved in syllabification. IPA: /ˌkaʊntərˈstrætədʒəm/.
Definitions
- 1
A stratagem devised to oppose or counteract another stratagem; a counter-plan or counter-scheme.
“The general devised a counterstratagem to neutralize the enemy's ambush.”
“Her counterstratagem caught the opposition completely off guard.”
Stress pattern
Secondary stress on first syllable 'coun', primary stress on third syllable 'strat', remaining syllables unstressed.
Syllables
coun — Closed syllable with diphthong /aʊ/, carries secondary stress.. ter — Closed syllable, unstressed, ends prefix morpheme.. strat — Closed syllable with legal onset cluster /str/, carries primary stress.. a — Open syllable, unstressed schwa vowel.. gem — Closed syllable with soft g /dʒ/, unstressed.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Morpheme Boundary Rule
The compound is split at the morpheme boundary between 'counter-' and 'stratagem' before applying phonotactic rules within each morpheme.
Maximal Onset Principle
Consonants are assigned to the onset of the following syllable where legal (e.g., 'str' in 'strat').
Closed Syllable Rule
Syllables ending in consonants (coun, ter, strat, gem) are closed; checked by following consonant or word boundary.
Hiatus/Open Syllable
The single vowel 'a' between 't' and 'g' forms its own open syllable.
- Compound word with clear morpheme boundary between prefix and root.
- The 'str' cluster is a legal English onset, so it stays together in 'strat'.
- Soft 'g' pronunciation /dʒ/ before 'e' is standard.
- Secondary stress on 'coun' is typical for compounds with 'counter-' prefix.
Nearby Words
17 wordsTrending in English (US)
Terms getting hyphenated by users right now.