Assonant is a term used in literature and poetry to describe a type of rhyme that involves the repetition of vowel sounds in words. It is a technique used by writers and poets to create a musical effect in their writing. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of assonant, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Assonant is defined as the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close together in a sentence or a line of poetry. The repetition of vowel sounds can occur in stressed or unstressed syllables. This technique is often used in poetry to create a musical effect and to add emphasis to certain words or phrases.
Origin
The term assonant comes from the Latin word ‘assonare,’ which means ‘to sound together.’ The use of assonance in poetry can be traced back to ancient Greek and Latin poetry, where it was used to create a musical effect in the language.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, assonant is defined as “having the same or similar vowel sounds occurring in nearby words, especially in poetry.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines assonant as “having the same vowel sound in stressed syllables, but different consonant sounds, as in ‘lake’ and ‘fate.'”.
Associations
Assonance is often associated with poetry and literature, where it is used to create a musical effect in the language. It is also used in song lyrics and advertising slogans to create a memorable and catchy phrase.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of assonant include vowel rhyme, internal rhyme, and half rhyme.
Antonyms
The antonyms of assonant include consonant, dissonant, and cacophonous.
The same root words
There are no root words for assonant, as it is a term that was coined to describe a specific type of rhyme.
Example Sentences
- The assonant repetition of the ‘o’ sound in “slow and low” creates a musical effect in the sentence.
- The use of assonance in the line “the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain” adds emphasis to the repetition of the ‘ai’ sound.
- The assonant repetition of the ‘i’ sound in “twinkle, twinkle, little star” creates a memorable and catchy phrase.