foresyllable
nounUS /ˈfɔɹsɪləbəl/ · UK /ˈfɔːsɪləbəl/
Etymology From fore- + syllable; Compare Dutch voorsyllabe, German Vorsilbe.
1
Rare A syllable (or syllables) at the beginning of a word.
- We had several things beginning with the same foresyllable.1902, Notes and Queries, John C. Francis, page 232:
- The " kar " is the same foresyllable that runs in Carthage and means a high place.1914, Keith Clark, The Spell of Spain, The Page Company, page 132:
1 more example
- C is strong like to "k." before "a," "o," "u," either simple vowels, or combined in diphthongs, as cankard, cautele, concord, coward, cunning, or when it ends a foresyllable before any other consonant as "c" "q" "k" "t" as in succede, acquaint, acknowledge, expecting.2005, Vivian Cook, Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can't Anybody Spell, Touchstone, page 57: