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{%type%} Definitions

WordNet 3.0Copyright Princeton University
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Noun- Separation of parts of a compound word by the intervention of one or more words.

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Usage examples (18)
  • This is called tmesis: "What man soever" we've put one word between the syllables of another word.
  • (In English only the compounds of "ever" readily lend themselves to tmesis.)
  • In tmesis we break a work in two, usually to put another word between the parts.
  • Nonetheless, tmesis reminds us (if we need to be) that in such grammatical matters -- never say never.
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Tutoring comment
  • This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.
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