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Webster 1913 Edition


Synalepha

Synˊa-le′pha

,
Noun.
[NL., fr. L.
synaloepha
, Gr. [GREEK], from [GREEK] to melt together;
σύν
with + [GREEK] to besmear.]
(Gram.)
A contraction of syllables by suppressing some vowel or diphthong at the end of a word, before another vowel or diphthong;
as,
th’ army
, for
the army
.
[Written also
synaloepha
.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Synalepha

SYNALE'PHA

,
Noun.
[Gr.] In grammar, a contraction of syllables by suppressing some vowel or diphthong at the end of a word, before another vowel or diphthong; as ill' ego for ille ego.

Definition 2024


synalepha

synalepha

English

Alternative forms

Noun

synalepha (countable and uncountable, plural synalephas)

  1. The suppression of a vowel at the end of word when it is followed by another word beginning with a vowel.
  2. The melding into a single syllable of two vowels from two different syllables.

Translations

References

  • synalepha in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911