Elide

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

English (IPA): /ɪˈlaɪd/

Definitions

• To omit or leave out a sound or syllable when speaking.
• To suppress or overlook something, particularly in writing or speech.
• To join together words or syllables in pronunciation.

Usage Examples

• "In rapid speech, people often elide the final syllable of certain words."
• "The editor decided to elide unnecessary details from the report."

Etymology

From Latin elidere, meaning "to strike out, suppress," formed from e- (out) + laedere (to strike, injure).

Synonyms

• Omit, Suppress, Skip, Exclude, Overlook

Antonyms

• Include, Pronounce, Emphasize, Highlight

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ɪˈlaɪd/
• American English: /ɪˈlaɪd/

Historical Usage

Historically, elision has played a major role in poetry, where syllables are omitted to maintain meter and rhythm.

Cultural Nuances

In some languages, elision is common in everyday speech, making formal and written language distinct from spoken usage. It can also be a marker of dialectal variation.

More Information

The concept of elision is significant in linguistics, phonetics, and poetry. In phonetics, it explains how speech adapts for efficiency. In writing, elision is seen in contractions and poetic structures, where words blend for rhythmic flow.