APOCOPE Meaning and
Definition
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Apocope is a linguistic term referring to the omission or loss of one or more sounds or letters from the end of a word. It is derived from the Greek word "apokopḗ," which means "cutting off" or "shortening."
In language, apocope occurs when a word undergoes a process of truncation, resulting in the deletion of the final sound or syllable. This phonetic reduction often takes place in informal or colloquial speech, where words may become simplified or abbreviated for ease of pronunciation or time efficiency.
Apocope can manifest in various ways, depending on the language and specific word. Common examples include the transformation of "cannot" to "can't," "would not" to "wouldn't," or "information" to "info." Additionally, it is seen in the contraction of certain words, such as "it is" to "it's" or "they will" to "they'll."
The process of apocope is a natural linguistic phenomenon that occurs across languages, as speakers naturally seek to simplify or streamline their speech. It can impart a more casual or conversational tone to language, often used in informal settings or everyday conversations.
Overall, apocope refers to the reduction or omission of sounds or letters from the end of words, resulting in shorter and more simplified forms. It is an essential phenomenon in language evolution and plays a significant role in shaping colloquial speech and expressions.
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Amputation, a cutting away.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Omission of the last letter or syllable of a word.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for APOCOPE
- zpocope
- spocope
- wpocope
- qpocope
- aoocope
- alocope
- a-ocope
- a0ocope
- apicope
- apkcope
- aplcope
- appcope
- ap0cope
- ap9cope
- apoxope
- apovope
- apofope
- apodope
- apocipe
Etymology of APOCOPE
The word "apocope" is derived from the Greek word "apokopto", which means "to cut off" or "to cut short". The term "apocope" entered English in the late 16th century and initially referred to a specific rhetorical figure where the end of a word was removed for stylistic effect. Over time, it came to have a broader meaning and is now used in linguistics to describe the loss or omission of sounds or syllables at the end of words.
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