assonance
|as-so-nance|
/ˈæsənəns/
repetition or similarity of vowel sounds
Etymology
'assonance' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'assonare', where the prefix 'ad-' (later assimilated to 'as-') meant 'to' or 'toward' and 'sonare' meant 'to sound'.
'assonance' passed into Old/Middle French and Middle English (related forms like Old French 'assoner'/'asoner') and eventually became the modern English noun 'assonance'.
Initially related to the idea 'to sound toward' or general resemblance in sound; over time it specialized to mean the repetition or similarity of vowel sounds in nearby words (a poetic and phonetic term).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, used to create rhythm, mood, or musical effect in poetry and prose.
The poet's frequent use of assonance gives the stanza a soft, musical quality.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a similarity or correspondence of vowel sounds in words (a phonetic resemblance), not necessarily forming a formal rhyme.
Linguists noted an assonance between the dialect forms, especially in their vowel quality.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/04 12:40