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Glite Dictionary
antepenult

antepenult

9.9
The third syllable from the end of a word
  • noun
  • /ˌæntɪˈpɛnʌlt/
  • Specialized
: antepenúltima
  • In the word 'banana,' the antepenult is the first syllable, 'ba-.'

Examples

  • Some languages require stress to fall on the antepenult of the word.

  • She asked students to underline the antepenult in each example.

  • The antepenult in 'banana' is 'na'.

  • In the word 'computer', the antepenult is 'pu'.

  • In the word 'banana,' the antepenult is the first syllable, 'na.'

  • The teacher explained that the antepenult in 'computer' is 'pu.'

  • Some English words have their antepenult syllable stressed when pronounced.

Synonyms

antepenultimate
vsantepenult
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Third syllable from the end of a word

uses simpler wording and omits any mention of counting direction
antepenultima
vsantepenult
  • Specialized
9.9

The third syllable from the end of a word when you count backwards

uses simpler wording and omits any mention of counting direction

Surface Forms

antepenult singular
antepenults plural

Morphology

antepenult = penult (semi-transparent) = ante + penult

The meaning is compositionally predictable from 'ante-' (before) + 'penult' (next-to-last), but both elements are somewhat technical/Latinate and may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Antepenult comes from ante- meaning 'before' and penult, as in penultimate, meaning 'almost last'. So it names the syllable 'before the penult', that is, the third syllable from the end.