orthoepy

See also: orthoëpy and orthœpy
WOTD – 3 March 2007

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

In English from the 17th century. From Ancient Greek ὀρθοέπεια (orthoépeia, “correct pronunciation”), from ὀρθός (orthós, “correct”) and ἔπος (épos, “word”).

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɔːθəʊˌiːpi/, /ˈɔːθəʊˌɛpi/, /ˈɔːθəʊɨpi/, /ɔːˈθəʊɨpi/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɔɹθoʊˌɛpi/, /ɔɹˈθoʊəpi/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun

orthoepy (countable and uncountable, plural orthoepies)

  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

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See also

Anagrams

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