emptyhandedness
Syllables
em-pty-han-ded-ness
Pronunciation
/ˈɛmpti ˌhændɪdnəs/
Stress
10001
Morphemes
empty- + hand + -edness
The word 'empty-handedness' is divided into five syllables: em-pty-han-ded-ness. Primary stress falls on the first syllable. The syllabification follows the Onset-Rime principle, maximizing consonant clusters in the onset and minimizing them in the coda. The word is a noun formed from the prefix 'empty-', the root 'hand', and the suffix '-edness'.
Definitions
- 1
The state of having nothing in one's hands; lack of resources.
“His empty-handedness was a sign of his poverty.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the first syllable ('em-'). Secondary stress falls on the third syllable ('han-').
Syllables
em — Open syllable, onset 'm', nucleus 'e'. pty — Closed syllable, onset 'pt', nucleus 'i'. han — Closed syllable, onset 'h', nucleus 'a'. ded — Closed syllable, onset 'd', nucleus 'i'. ness — Closed syllable, onset 'n', nucleus 'ə'
Word Parts
Similar Words
Onset-Rime Principle
Syllables are divided to maximize consonants in the onset and minimize in the coda.
Vowel Nucleus
Each syllable must contain a vowel sound as its nucleus.
- The compound nature of the word doesn't alter the syllabification process.
- Regional variations in vowel pronunciation may occur but do not affect syllable division.
Nearby Words
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