Orthoepy
Pronunciation
- RP
- US IPA: /ɔˈθoʊəpi/
Alternative forms
Origin
In English from the 17th century.
From Ancient Greek á½€ÏθοÎπεια (orthoepeia, "correct pronunciation"), from á½€Ïθός (orthos, "correct") and ἔπος (epos, "word").
Full definition of orthoepy
Noun
orthoepy
(uncountable)- The correct pronunciation of words.
- The study of correct pronunciation.
Usage notes
The rare ligated spelling orthœpy is unetymological. It occurs in some instances of 19th century US English, apparently to indicate the trisyllabic pronunciation prevalent in US English. The oe in orthoepy does not represent either of the etymological diphthongs ⟨
oe
⟩ (of Latin) or ⟨οι⟩ (oi — the omicron-iota of Ancient Greek), but rather the two separate vowels ⟨οε⟩ (oe, omicron-epsilon). To mark their separateness, the diæretic spelling orthoëpy is sometimes used.
Antonyms
- (correct pronunciation) cacoepy