Diaeresis
noun
Two dots placed over a vowel in some languages, or in transliterated words, indicating that the vowel should be pronounced separately from the letter before it.
In the word 'zoölogy', a diaeresis is placed over the second 'o' to indicate that it should be spoken as a separate syllable.
Often appears as...
- place a diaeresis
- diaeresis over the vowel
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A pause in poetry to help keep the rhythm of the verse.
In some types of poetry, a diaeresis can be used to signal a brief pause, often at the end of a line.
Often appears as...
- use a diaeresis
- diaeresis in poetry
Usage tips
Formal
Literary,Poetic
noun
In medicine, the process of breaking something down, particularly fat during digestion.
The patient is suffering from diaeresis, a condition that hampers the breakdown of fats in the digestive system.
Often appears as...
- suffering from diaeresis
- process of diaeresis
Usage tips
Formal
Technical,Academic
noun
Two dots placed over a vowel in some languages, or in transliterated words, indicating that the vowel should be pronounced separately from the letter before it.
In the word 'zoölogy', a diaeresis is placed over the second 'o' to indicate that it should be spoken as a separate syllable.
Often appears as...
- place a diaeresis
- diaeresis over the vowel
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A pause in poetry to help keep the rhythm of the verse.
In some types of poetry, a diaeresis can be used to signal a brief pause, often at the end of a line.
Often appears as...
- use a diaeresis
- diaeresis in poetry
Usage tips
Formal
Literary,Poetic
noun
In medicine, the process of breaking something down, particularly fat during digestion.
The patient is suffering from diaeresis, a condition that hampers the breakdown of fats in the digestive system.
Often appears as...
- suffering from diaeresis
- process of diaeresis
Usage tips
Formal
Technical,Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Distinct Pronunciation
Remember diaeresis marks a vowel to be pronounced separately, avoiding blending sounds.
Coöperate is pronounced co-operate, not cooperate.
Pro Tip 2/3Not an Accent
Don't confuse diaeresis with accents; it doesn't change the vowel sound but separates syllables.
Reëlect, not re-élect.
Pro Tip 3/3Rare in English
Diaeresis is infrequently used in English; modern text often omits it.
Zoology may drop the diaeresis becoming zoology.
Pro Tip 1/3Distinct Pronunciation
Remember diaeresis marks a vowel to be pronounced separately, avoiding blending sounds.
Coöperate is pronounced co-operate, not cooperate.
Pro Tip 2/3Not an Accent
Don't confuse diaeresis with accents; it doesn't change the vowel sound but separates syllables.
Reëlect, not re-élect.
Pro Tip 3/3Rare in English
Diaeresis is infrequently used in English; modern text often omits it.
Zoology may drop the diaeresis becoming zoology.
Pro Tip 1/3Distinct Pronunciation
Remember diaeresis marks a vowel to be pronounced separately, avoiding blending sounds.
Coöperate is pronounced co-operate, not cooperate.
Pro Tip 2/3Not an Accent
Don't confuse diaeresis with accents; it doesn't change the vowel sound but separates syllables.
Reëlect, not re-élect.
Pro Tip 3/3Rare in English
Diaeresis is infrequently used in English; modern text often omits it.
Zoology may drop the diaeresis becoming zoology.
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Video examples
The nit-picking glory of...
We work at the level of the sentence, maybe the paragraph, the words, the punctuation. Our business is in the details. We put the diaeresis, the double dot, over the "i" in "naïve."
Video examples
The nit-picking glory of...
We work at the level of the sentence, maybe the paragraph, the words, the punctuation. Our business is in the details. We put the diaeresis, the double dot, over the "i" in "naïve."
Example 1 of 1
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