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alliterator

alliterator

9.9
A person who repeats the same first sound in words to make phrases memorable
  • noun
  • /ˌælɪˈreɪtər/
  • Literature
: aliterador
  • Children's book authors often act as alliterators to create fun, memorable phrases.

Examples

  • The poet was a skilled alliterator, weaving words with matching sounds throughout his verses.

  • The alliterator captured everyone's attention with her clever phrases.

  • As an accomplished alliterator, she delighted audiences with her playful tongue-twisters.

  • Many famous poets are considered great alliterators.

  • As an accomplished alliterator, she delighted audiences with her playful tongue-twisters.

  • The poet was a skilled alliterator, weaving words with matching sounds throughout his verses.

  • Many famous poets are considered great alliterators for their memorable use of sound in poetry.

Surface Forms

alliterator singular
alliterators plural

Morphology

alliterator = alliterate (transparent) = alliterate + or

The agentive suffix 'or' is productively added to the verb 'alliterate' to mean 'a person who alliterates', a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

Alliterator comes from a root that means 'letter', the same root you see in letter and literature, and from the idea of repeating those letters at the start of words. So an alliterator is someone who uses the same beginning letters or sounds in nearby words, like 'big blue ball', to make speech or writing more musical and memorable.