| epenthesis |
| Definition - Inserting a consonant, vowel, or syllable into a word to make it easier to pronounce. |
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Example - (1) The name Dwight becomes Du-wight and (2) the word mischievous becomes mis – chee – vee – ous. |
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Etymology - The word derives from the Greek epi, on + en, in + thesis, putting. |
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Oxford English Dictionary - Its first citation is from 1657: "Epenthesis is the interposition of a letter or syllable in the midst of a word." (J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 171) |
