Definition of disyllabic in English:
disyllabic
(also dissyllabic)
adjective ˌdʌɪsɪˈlabɪkˌdaɪsəˈlæbɪk
1(of a word or metrical foot) consisting of two syllables.
Example sentencesExamples
- I think I'll stick to monosyllabic and disyllabic words today.
- Occasionally two disyllabic feet occur in succession.
- A disyllable or disyllabic word has two syllables, a trisyllable or trisyllabic word has three.
- 1.1 (of a bird's characteristic call) consisting of two distinct sounds, such as the call of the cuckoo.
Example sentencesExamples
- I wish this bird would do something more characteristic of Hume's, like an upward inflecting or disyllabic call, but it doesn't.
- Treeswifts calls have been described as a squeal, with a few syllables grouped together to form a disyllabic or trisyllabic call.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French dissyllabique, via Latin from Greek disullabos 'of two syllables'.
Rhymes
monosyllabic, polysyllabic, syllabic
Definition of disyllabic in US English:
disyllabic
(also dissyllabic)
adjectiveˌdaɪsəˈlæbɪkˌdīsəˈlabik
1(of a word or metrical foot) consisting of two syllables.
Example sentencesExamples
- Occasionally two disyllabic feet occur in succession.
- A disyllable or disyllabic word has two syllables, a trisyllable or trisyllabic word has three.
- I think I'll stick to monosyllabic and disyllabic words today.
- 1.1 (of a bird's call) consisting of two distinct sounds, such as the call of the cuckoo.
Example sentencesExamples
- Treeswifts calls have been described as a squeal, with a few syllables grouped together to form a disyllabic or trisyllabic call.
- I wish this bird would do something more characteristic of Hume's, like an upward inflecting or disyllabic call, but it doesn't.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French dissyllabique, via Latin from Greek disullabos ‘of two syllables’.