synaeresis

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/sɪˈnɪəɹɪsɪs//sɪnˈɛɹɪsɪs/

noun

The contraction of two vowels into a diphthong or a long vowel.

Similar
syneresis
OriginAncient Greek συναίρεσις →
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

nounsynaeresis (countable and uncountable, plural synaereses)

plural synaereses · alternative dated synæresis · alternative uncommon synairesis · alternative US syneresis

  1. countablerhetoricuncountablecommunicationsThe contraction of two vowels into a diphthong or a long vowel.
  2. countableuncountablechemistryThe separating out of the liquid from a gel.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe contraction of two vowels into a diphthong

Similar
syneresis
Broader
linguistic process

nounthe separation of liquid from a gel that is caused by contraction (as in cheese making)

Similar
syneresis
Broader
chemical processchemical changechemical action

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekσυναίρεσις“unification”
  2. Englishsynaeresis

From Ancient Greek συναίρεσις (sunaíresis, “unification”), from συν- (sun-, “together”) + αἵρεσις (haíresis, “taking”), from αἱρέω (hairéō, “to take”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek συναίρεσις
  • συναίρεσις (sunaíresis)contraction of two consonants
Finnish synereesi, synereesi
  • synereesicontraction of two consonants
  • synereesiseparating out of the liquid from a gel
French synérèse, synérèse
  • synérèsecontraction of two consonants
  • synérèseseparating out of the liquid from a gel
Greek συναίρεση
  • συναίρεση (synaíresi)contraction of two consonants
Italian sineresi
  • sineresicontraction of two consonants
Polish synereza, synereza
  • synerezacontraction of two consonants
  • synerezaseparating out of the liquid from a gel
Portuguese sinérese, sinérese
  • sinéresecontraction of two consonants
  • sinéreseseparating out of the liquid from a gel
Russian синере́за, синере́зис
  • синере́за (sineréza)contraction of two consonants
  • синере́зис (sinerézis)separating out of the liquid from a gel
Spanish sinéresis, sinéresis
  • sinéresiscontraction of two consonants
  • sinéresisseparating out of the liquid from a gel
Cite this entry
APA

synaeresis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/synaeresis

MLA

“synaeresis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/synaeresis. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “synaeresis,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/synaeresis.

Source: synaeresis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.