penult

pe·nult

noun \ˈpē-ˌnəlt, pi-ˈ\

Definition of PENULT

: the next to the last member of a series; especially : the next to the last syllable of a word

Origin of PENULT

Latin paenultima penult, from feminine of paenultimus almost last, from paene almost + ultimus last — more at ultimate

First Known Use: 1537

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

Rhymes with PENULT

adult, consult, exult, incult, indult, insult, occult, result, tumult