Definition of EPENTHESIS

epenthesis

Meanings

Plural: epentheses

Noun

  • the insertion of a vowel or consonant into a word to make its pronunciation easier
    • "the insertion of a vowel in the plural of the word `bush' is epenthesis"
  • The insertion of a phoneme, letter, or syllable into a word, usually to satisfy the phonological constraints of a language or poetic context.

Origin / Etymology

Middle of 16th century: via Late Latin, from Ancient Greek ἐπένθεσις (epénthesis), from ἐπεντίθημι (epentíthēmi, “I insert”), from ἐπί (epí) + ἐντίθημι (entíthēmi, “I put in”), from ἐν (en, “in”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “I put, place”).

Scrabble Score: 15

epenthesis is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
epenthesis is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
epenthesis is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

epenthesis is a valid Words With Friends word