See Also: diaeresis(dictionary)

diaeresis (iou)



diaeresis noun. . L16.
[Latin from Greek diairesis noun of action from diairein take apart, divide, formed as DIA-1 + hairein take.]
1. The division of one syllable into two, esp. by the resolution of a diphthong into two simple vowels. L16.
2. The sign placed over a vowel to indicate that it is pronounced separately, as in Bront?, na?ve. E17.
3. Prosody. A break in a line where the end of a foot coincides with the end of a word. M19.
diaeretic adjective (now rare) of or pertaining to diaeresis M17.