unperspicuousness
Syllables
un-per-spi-cu-ous-ness
Pronunciation
/ʌnˌpɜːrsəˈspɪkjuːəsnəs/
Stress
010010
Morphemes
un- + perspicuous + -ness
The word 'unperspicuousness' is divided into six syllables: un-per-spi-cu-ous-ness. It consists of the prefix 'un-', the root 'perspicuous', and the suffix '-ness'. Primary stress falls on the 'spic' syllable. Syllable division follows rules maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.
Definitions
- 1
The state or quality of not being clear or easily understood; obscurity.
“The unperspicuousness of the instructions led to widespread confusion.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('spic'). Secondary stress falls on the second syllable ('per').
Syllables
un — Open syllable, unstressed.. per — Open syllable, secondary stress.. spi — Closed syllable, stressed.. cu — Closed syllable, unstressed; contains a diphthong.. ous — Closed syllable, unstressed; contains a schwa.. ness — Closed syllable, unstressed; contains a schwa.
Word Parts
Vowel-Consonant (VC) Division
Syllables are often divided after a vowel followed by a consonant.
Consonant-Vowel (CV) Division
Syllables are often divided before a vowel preceded by a consonant.
Maximize Onsets
Consonant clusters are generally kept together in the onset of a syllable.
Avoid Stranded Consonants
Consonants are not left alone to begin a syllable unless they are part of a cluster.
- The length and complex morphology of the word require careful application of syllable division rules.
- The presence of the diphthong /juː/ in 'cu' does not alter the basic division principles.
- Potential vowel reduction to schwa in unstressed syllables.
Nearby Words
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