syllabification
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English
Etymology
First attested in 1764; a regular Anglicisation (see -fication) of a hypothetical etymon of the form *syllabificātiō, *syllabificātiōn-, formed regularly on the base of the Latin syllabificō, itself from syllaba (“syllable”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) enPR: sĭlă'bĭfĭkāʹshən, IPA(key): /sɪˌlæbɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
Noun
syllabification (usually uncountable, plural syllabifications)
- The division of a word into syllables.
- 1764 September, Tobias George Smollett , The Critical Review: or, Annals of Literature, volume 18, article 23: “Review of William Johnſton’s A Pronouncing and Spelling Dictionary, &c.”, page 237
- Our author has eſtabliſhed clear practicable rules for articulation, and conſequently for facilitating to foreigners the pronouncing and ſyllabification of the Engliſh language; and that upon principles which are in common to all languages.
- 1926, Henry Watson Fowler, A Dictionary of Modern English Usage (first edition, Oxford at the Clarendon Press), page 590, column 2, “syllabize &c.”
- syllabize &c. A verb & a noun are clearly sometimes needed for the notion of dividing words into syllables. The possible pairs seem to be the following (the number after each word means — 1, that it is in fairly common use; 2, that it is on record; 3, that it is not given in OED): —
syllabate 3 syllabation 2
syllabicate 2 syllabication 1
syllabify 2 syllabification 1
syllabize 1 syllabization 3
One first-class verb, two first-class nouns, but neither of those nouns belonging to that verb. It is absurd enough, & any of several ways out would do; that indeed is why none of them is taken. The best thing would be to accept the most recognized verb syllabize, give it the now non-existent noun syllabization, & relegate all the rest to the Superfluous words; but there is no authority both willing & able to issue such decrees.
- syllabize &c. A verb & a noun are clearly sometimes needed for the notion of dividing words into syllables. The possible pairs seem to be the following (the number after each word means — 1, that it is in fairly common use; 2, that it is on record; 3, that it is not given in OED): —
- 1999, Ingo Plag, Morphological Productivity: Structural Constraints in English Derivation, § 7.1.2, page 203:
- Syllábify is a back-formation from syllabification, which in turn seems to be coined directly on the basis of Latin syllabificare.
- 1764 September, Tobias George Smollett , The Critical Review: or, Annals of Literature, volume 18, article 23: “Review of William Johnſton’s A Pronouncing and Spelling Dictionary, &c.”, page 237
Synonyms
- syllabation (rare), syllabication
Derived terms
- syllabificate, syllabificating (both are non-standard and rare); syllabify
Translations
division of a word into syllables
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See also
References
- “Syllabification” listed on page 357 of volume IX, part II (Su–Th) of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles
Syllabification (silæ:bifikēi·ʃən). Formation or construction of syllables; the action or method of dividing words into syllables. 1838 Guest Engl. Rhythms I. 23 The early systems of syllabification. 1843 Poe Premature Burial Wks. 1864 I. 330 What he said was unintelligible; but..the syllabification was distinct. 1862 J. Angus Hand-bk. Engl. Tongue 495 Rules of syllabification. - “syllabification” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary