lighterthanair
The word 'lighter-than-air' is divided into four syllables: light-er-than-air. The primary stress falls on 'light'. The syllabification follows standard English rules based on onset-rime structure and the consistent treatment of the comparative suffix '-er'.
Definitions
- 1
Having a density less than that of air; buoyant.
“The hot air balloon was a lighter-than-air vessel.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the first syllable ('light'). The remaining syllables are unstressed.
Syllables
light — Open syllable, stressed, onset-rime structure.. er — Closed syllable, unstressed, vowel-consonant division.. than — Open syllable, unstressed, onset-rime structure.. air — Closed syllable, unstressed, vowel-consonant division.
Word Parts
Onset-Rime
Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and rime (vowel and any following consonants).
Vowel-Consonant Division
When a vowel is followed by a consonant within a word, the syllable is typically divided before the consonant.
Comparative Suffix Rule
The comparative suffix '-er' is consistently treated as a separate syllable.
- The compound nature of the adjective does not alter standard syllabification rules.
- Regional variations in pronunciation may affect the realization of sounds but not syllable division.
Nearby Words
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