Main Entry: as·so·nance

Pronunciation: \ˈa-sə-nən(t)s\

Function: noun

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

Date: 1727

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