assonance

as·so·nance

noun \ˈa-sə-nən(t)s\

Definition of ASSONANCE

1

: resemblance of sound in words or syllables

2

a : relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels b : repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse

— as·so·nant \-nənt\ adjective or noun

— as·so·nant·al \ˌa-sə-ˈnan-t^əl\ adjective

Origin of ASSONANCE

French, from Latin assonare to answer with the same sound, from ad- + sonare to sound, from sonus sound — more at sound

First Known Use: 1727

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile