diæresis
(daɪˈɛrɪsɪs, -ˈɪərɪsɪs)
Also dieresis.
[a. L. diæresis, a. Gr. διαίρεσις, n. of action f. διαιρέ-ειν to divide, separate.]
1. The division of one syllable into two, esp. by the separation of a diphthong into two simple vowels.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr. s.v. Dieretic, The figure Diæresis, whereby one syllable is divided into two parts, as Evoluisse for Evolvisse. 1755 Johnson, Diæresis, the separation or disjunction of syllables; as aër. 1887 Roby Lat. Gram. (ed. 5) i. 478 Diæresis, ‘separation’ of one vowel sound into two; e.g. Orphĕŭs for Orph eu s also the treatment of a usually consonantal v as a vowel; e.g. sĭlŭae for silvae. |
b. The sign [{nfuml}] marking such a division, or, more usually, placed over the second of two vowels which otherwise make a diphthong or single sound, to indicate that they are to be pronounced separately.
| 1611 Cotgr. N n n n, Diæresis is when two points ouer a vowell diuide it from another vowell, as bouë, queuë. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s.v. Diæresis, An ë, ï or ü Diæresis, to show that such a vowel is sounded by it self and not joyn'd with any other, so as to make a Diphthongue. 1767 G. Sharpe Grk. Tongue 16 (R.) If any two vowels are to be read as two distinct syllables, the latter is marked with a diæresis, or two dots over it; πα{giuml}ς, boy, and α{guuml}πνος, sleepless. 1824 J. Johnson Typogr. II. xi. 284 The diæresis [{nfuml}] separates two vowels, that they may not be taken for a diphthong. |
2. Prosody. The division made in a line or a verse when the end of a foot coincides with the end of a word.
| 1844 Beck & Felton tr. Munk's Metres 39 From the coincidence and disagreement of verse-series and word-series springs the idea of the diæresis and cæsura (διαίρεσις and τοµή), abscission and incision. |
3. Surg. Separation of parts normally united, as by a wound or burn, the lancing of an abscess, etc.
| 1706 in Phillips (ed. Kersey). 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Diæresis, There are five manners of performing the diæresis viz. by cutting, pricking, tearing, drawing and burning. 1883 Syd. Soc. Lex., Diæresis, a division of parts from a wound, or burn; a solution of continuity, produced by mechanical means. |
4. gen. (nonce-use.) Division, separation.
| 1856 Alexander Life Wardlaw xiii. 331 This diæresis of opinion has separated ethical writers into two sections. |