pre-vocalicity
|pre-vo-ca-li-ci-ty|
🇺🇸
/ˌpriːvoʊkəˈlɪsɪti/
🇬🇧
/ˌpriːvəʊkəˈlɪsɪti/
occurring before a vowel
Etymology
'pre-vocalicity' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'pre-' from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'vocalicity' ultimately from Latin 'vocalis' meaning 'vocal' or 'relating to the voice'.
'pre-vocalicity' developed by combining the English prefix 'pre-' with the adjective 'vocalic' (from Latin 'vocalis' via Medieval/Modern Latin and Old French forms). The adjective 'vocalic' gave rise to the noun-forming suffix '-ity' to produce 'vocalicity', and the prefix 'pre-' was added to yield 'pre-vocalicity'.
Initially components related to 'voice' or 'vocal' (from Latin 'vocalis'); over time the compounded form came to mean specifically 'the condition of occurring before a vowel sound'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of occurring immediately before a vowel sound; the condition of being in a pre-vocalic position.
The pre-vocalicity of the consonant influenced its assimilation patterns.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
adjective form of 'pre-vocalicity'; occurring before a vowel (usually expressed as 'pre-vocalic').
Discussions of pre-vocalicity often treat consonants as pre-vocalic in specific environments.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/11 05:53