selfcentredness
The word 'self-centredness' is a four-syllable noun with primary stress on the third syllable. It's formed from the prefix 'self-', the root 'centre', and the suffixes '-ed' and '-ness'. Syllabification follows standard US English rules, prioritizing vowel sounds and maintaining consonant clusters.
Definitions
- 1
The quality of being excessively preoccupied with oneself; egotism.
“His self-centredness made it difficult to maintain a relationship.”
“The politician's self-centredness was evident in his disregard for public opinion.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('cen'). The first and fourth syllables are unstressed, and the second syllable receives secondary stress.
Syllables
self — Closed syllable, containing a vowel and consonant cluster.. cen — Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.. tred — Closed syllable, containing a vowel and consonant cluster.. ness — Closed syllable, containing a consonant and schwa.
Word Parts
self
Old English reflexive pronoun, functioning as a prefix.
centre
Latin *centrum*, from Greek *kentron*; core meaning relating to a point around which things revolve.
edness
Combination of -ed (past tense/participle, adjectival function) and -ness (noun-forming suffix denoting a state or quality).
Similar Words
Vowel Rule
Each syllable must contain at least one vowel sound.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable unless they are easily divisible based on pronunciation.
Onset-Rime Rule
Syllables are often divided into an onset (initial consonant(s)) and a rime (vowel and any following consonants).
- The spelling 'centred' is a British English variant; US English typically uses 'centered', but the syllabification remains the same.
- The pronunciation of the schwa sound /ə/ in 'centred' and 'ness' can vary slightly depending on regional accent.
Nearby Words
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