| dieresis (linguistics) |
| Definition: Dividing one syllable into two, especially when pronouncing consecutive vowels. |
| Example: naïve (pronounced 'ny - eev) |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Late Latin diaeresis (from Greek dia, apart + hairein, to take). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first OED citation is from about 1656: "The figure Diaeresis, whereby one syllable is divided into two parts, as Evoluisse for Evolvisse." (Blount Glossogr. s.v. Dieretic) |