jackintheboxes
The word 'jack-in-the-boxes' is a compound noun divided into five syllables: jack-in-the-box-es. Primary stress falls on 'jack' and 'box'. Syllabification follows the vowel-consonant and suffix rules. The compound structure necessitates treating each component separately.
Definitions
- 1
A toy consisting of a hinged box containing a figure that springs up when the lid is opened.
“The children were delighted with their new jack-in-the-boxes.”
“He remembered playing with jack-in-the-boxes as a child.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the first syllable of 'jack' and 'box'.
Syllables
jack — Closed syllable, stressed.. in — Open syllable, unstressed.. the — Open syllable, unstressed.. box — Closed syllable, stressed.. es — Closed syllable, unstressed.
Similar Words
Vowel-Consonant Rule
Syllables are typically divided after vowels.
Suffix Rule
Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
Stress Rule
Primary stress falls on the first syllable of the root word in compound nouns.
- The compound nature of the word requires treating each component as a separate unit for syllabification.
- Reduction of 'in the' to /ɪnə/ in rapid speech.
Nearby Words
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