• Orthoepy

    Pronunciation

    • RP
    • US IPA: /ɔˈθoÊŠÉ™pi/

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    In English from the 17th century.

    From Ancient Greek ὀρθοέπεια (orthoepeia, "correct pronunciation"), from ὀρθός (orthos, "correct") and ἔπος (epos, "word").

    Full definition of orthoepy

    Noun

    orthoepy

    (uncountable)
    1. The correct pronunciation of words.
    2. 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

    Anagrams

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