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Hyphenation ofmachiavellianism

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

Ma-chi-a-vel-li-an-ism

Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)

/ˌmɑk.i.əˈvel.i.ən.ɪz.əm/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0101010

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('vel'). Secondary stress on the first syllable ('Ma').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound

Ma/mɑ/

Open syllable, stressed.

chi/ki/

Open syllable, unstressed.

a/ə/

Open syllable, unstressed.

vel/vel/

Closed syllable, stressed.

li/li/

Open syllable, unstressed.

an/ən/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ism/ɪz.əm/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)

(prefix)
+
Machiavel(root)
+
ianism(suffix)

Prefix:

Root: Machiavel

From Niccolò Machiavelli, Italian Renaissance diplomat and political philosopher.

Suffix: ianism

'-ian' (adjectival) + '-ism' (noun-forming)

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The principles or practice of achieving political power through deceit, cunning, and manipulation.

Examples:

"His Machiavellian tactics ensured his rise to power."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

TelevisionTel-e-vi-sion

Similar syllable structure and ending ('sion').

RevolutionRev-o-lu-tion

Shares the '-tion' ending, demonstrating a similar syllable division pattern.

InformationIn-for-ma-tion

Exhibits a similar pattern of multiple syllables with varying stress levels.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Onset-Rime Division

Dividing syllables based on the consonant onset and vowel-based rime.

Vowel as Syllable Nucleus

Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.

Special Considerations

Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure

The schwa sound (/ə/) in the third syllable is common in unstressed syllables. The 'vel' syllable is a potential point of variation, but the established pronunciation supports this division.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

Machiavellianism is a seven-syllable noun with primary stress on the fourth syllable ('vel'). It's derived from the name Machiavelli and comprises the root 'Machiavel' and the suffixes '-ian' and '-ism'. Syllable division follows standard onset-rime and vowel nucleus rules.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "Machiavellianism"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "Machiavellianism" is pronounced /ˌmɑk.i.əˈvel.i.ən.ɪz.əm/ in US English. It's a complex word with multiple vowel sounds and a mix of stressed and unstressed syllables.

2. Syllable Division:

Ma-chi-a-vel-li-an-ism

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: None
  • Root: Machiavel (from Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian Renaissance diplomat and political philosopher). Origin: Italian. Morphological Function: Proper noun used as a base for an adjective and subsequently a noun.
  • Suffix: -ian (Origin: Latin -ianus, forming adjectives relating to a person, place, or thing). Morphological Function: Adjectival suffix. -ism (Origin: Greek -ismos, denoting a doctrine, principle, or practice). Morphological Function: Noun-forming suffix.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: /ˌmɑk.i.əˈvel.i.ən.ɪz.əm/. Secondary stress is present on the first syllable.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌmɑk.i.əˈvel.i.ən.ɪz.əm/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "li-an" can sometimes be a point of syllabification debate, but in this case, the vowel sound in "ian" functions as a single unit, justifying the division as "li-an". The presence of multiple schwas (/ə/) also requires careful consideration.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Machiavellianism" primarily functions as a noun. As a noun, the stress pattern remains consistent. It does not readily shift to other parts of speech.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The principles or practice of achieving political power through deceit, cunning, and manipulation.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: Realpolitik, opportunism, cynicism, scheming, political maneuvering.
  • Antonyms: Idealism, morality, ethics, principle, integrity.
  • Examples: "His Machiavellian tactics ensured his rise to power." "The politician was accused of Machiavellianism."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Television: Tel-e-vi-sion. Similar syllable structure with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. The "sion" ending is comparable to "ism" in terms of syllable weight.
  • Revolution: Rev-o-lu-tion. Shares the "-tion" ending, demonstrating a similar pattern of syllable division.
  • Information: In-for-ma-tion. Exhibits a similar pattern of multiple syllables with varying stress levels.

Syllable Breakdown Details:

  • Ma-: /mɑ/ - Open syllable, stressed. Rule: Onset-rime division.
  • chi-: /ki/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Onset-rime division.
  • a-: /ə/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel as a syllable nucleus.
  • vel-: /vel/ - Closed syllable, stressed. Rule: Onset-rime division.
  • li-: /li/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Onset-rime division.
  • an-: /ən/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel as a syllable nucleus.
  • ism-: /ɪz.əm/ - Closed syllable, unstressed. Rule: Onset-rime division.

Exceptions/Special Cases:

The schwa sound (/ə/) in the third syllable is a common feature of unstressed syllables in English and doesn't present a significant exception. The "vel" syllable is a potential point of variation, but the established pronunciation supports this division.

Division Rules Applied:

  • Onset-Rime Division: Dividing syllables based on the consonant onset and vowel-based rime.
  • Vowel as Syllable Nucleus: Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/12/2025

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.

In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.