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Tmesis: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Tmesis noun. Splitting a word or phrase by putting another word in the middle, as in 'abso-blooming-lutely'.
How to say it
TMEE-sis/ˈtmiːsɪs/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (TMEE).
Tmesis in a sentence
'Fan-flipping-tastic' is tmesis at its most British.
Shakespeare used tmesis too, when Romeo sighs that he is 'some other where'.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- infixing
Where tmesis comes from
From Greek tmēsis, a cutting.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Shakespeare used _____ too, when Romeo sighs that he is 'some other where'.
- armscye
- tmesis
- furcula
Show the answer
tmesis: Shakespeare used tmesis too, when Romeo sighs that he is 'some other where'.