| alliteration |
| Definition: Repeating the same sound — usually a consonant — either at the beginning of consecutive words or in words that are in close succession. Note: Some feel that the term alliteration should only apply to consonants and that when it involves vowels it should be called assonance. However, according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, alliteration can involve either consonants or vowels. |
| Example: She shells shiny shells at the ship shop. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Modern Latin alliterationem (from ad, to + littera, letter). |
| OED: The first OED citation for the word is from 1656: "Alliteration, a figure in Rhetorick, repeating and playing on the same letter."
(Blount Glossogr) |
| Feedback:
I've checked various sources and it turns out that there is a range of opinions. General sources tend to include both vowels and consonants under this rubric, but sometimes more literary sources specifically state consonant repetition. The problem is solved by saying "usually consonants." Tellingly, even if the definition says that both vowels and consonants are included, I've yet to see even one example (and I've checked many sources) that uses vowel repetition. That in itself says something. (Jack Ognistoff) |