tergiversaient
Syllables
ter-gi-ver-sai-ent
Pronunciation
/tɛʁ.ʒi.vɛʁ.sɛ.jɑ̃/
Stress
00001
Morphemes
ter- + giverse- + -aient
The word 'tergiversaient' is divided into five syllables: ter-gi-ver-sai-ent. It's a verb derived from Latin, meaning 'to equivocate'. Syllabification follows vowel-centric rules, breaking consonant clusters around vowels. Stress is minimal, falling slightly on the final syllable.
Definitions
- 1
To equivocate, prevaricate, or go back and forth on a decision; to be evasive.
To equivocate, to hedge, to waffle.
“Il tergiversait sans cesse, incapable de prendre une décision.”
“Le politicien tergiverse sur la question.”
Stress pattern
Stress is subtle in French, but the final syllable '-ent' receives a slight emphasis.
Syllables
ter — Open syllable, initial syllable.. gi — Closed syllable, contains a palatal consonant.. ver — Open syllable, contains the root vowel.. sai — Open syllable, contains a close-mid front unrounded vowel.. ent — Closed syllable, contains a nasal vowel and the imperfect ending.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Vowel-Centric Syllabification
Syllables are built around vowel sounds.
Consonant Cluster Resolution
Consonant clusters are broken around vowels.
Nasal Vowel Syllables
Nasal vowels form their own syllable nuclei.
- The 'rs' cluster is generally treated as a single unit.
- Subtle stress pattern in French compared to stress-timed languages.
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