antepenult
|an-te-pen-ult|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈpɛn.əlt/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪˈpen.əlt/
third-from-last
Etymology
'antepenult' originates from Latin, specifically from the combination of the prefix 'ante-' meaning 'before' and the Late Latin/Medieval Latin element 'paenult(imus)' (from 'paene' meaning 'almost' and 'ultimus' meaning 'last').
'antepenult' evolved from Medieval/ Late Latin forms such as 'antepaenult' or 'antepaenultimus' and entered English usage retaining the sense 'before the penult' (i.e., third from the last).
Initially it meant 'before the penultimate (syllable)', and this basic sense — 'third-from-last' — has been preserved into modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the syllable before the penult; the third-from-last syllable in a word.
In the word 'camera', the antepenult is the first syllable 'cam'.
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Noun 2
(rare) Something or someone that is third from the last in a sequence.
In the list, the antepenult was the third-to-last item.
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Last updated: 2025/08/22 19:06