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Word Analysis

devil-in-the-bush

Complete linguistic analysis including syllable division, pronunciation, morphology, and definitions.

5 syllables
17 characters
English (US)
Enriched
5syllables

devilinthebush

Linguistic Analysis

Syllables

dev-il-in-the-bush

Pronunciation

/ˈdɛvəl ɪn ðə bʊʃ/

Stress

10000

Morphemes

devil, bush

The word 'devil-in-the-bush' is a compound noun with primary stress on the first syllable ('dev-'). Syllabification follows standard US English rules, maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants. The morphemes are 'devil', 'in', 'the', and 'bush', all with Germanic origins.

Definitions

noun
  1. 1

    A mischievous or playful spirit believed to inhabit the bush or wilderness, particularly in Australian folklore.

    “Old Man Hemmings swore he'd seen the devil-in-the-bush leading travelers astray.”

    syn:spriteimpgoblinpixie

Stress pattern

Primary stress falls on the first syllable ('dev-'). The remaining syllables are unstressed.

Syllables

5
dev/dɛv/
il/əl/
in/ɪn/
the/ðə/
bush/bʊʃ/

dev — Open syllable, stressed.. il — Closed syllable, unstressed.. in — Closed syllable, unstressed.. the — Open syllable, unstressed.. bush — Closed syllable, unstressed.

Word Parts

root

devil, bush

Germanic origins; 'devil' from Old English *dēofol*, 'bush' from Old English *bosc*

Similar Words

sun­flow­erfoot­ballrain­bow

Maximize Onsets

Prioritizing consonant clusters at the beginning of syllables.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Preventing consonants from being left at the end of a syllable without a following vowel.

Vowel-Consonant Division

Dividing after a vowel when followed by a consonant.

  • The compound nature of the word does not introduce significant exceptions. Some speakers may reduce the vowel in 'the' to a schwa /ðə/.
Analysis by gemma3:27b · 6/9/2025

Nearby Words

17 words
devil-in-the-bush(current)
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