Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Alliteration |
AlliterationNoun1. Use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse: "around the rock the ragged rascal ran". Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "alliteration" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1550. (references) |
Etymology: Alliteration \Al*lit`er*a"tion\, noun. [Latin expression ad litera letter. See Letter.]. (Websters 1913) |
| Domain | Definitions |
Literature | Alliteration DR. BETHEL OF ETON. "Didactic, dry, declamatory, dull, Big, burly Bethel bellows like a bull." Eton College. CARDINAL WOLSEY. "Begot by butchers, but by bishops bred, How high his Honour holds his haughty head." Hucbald composed an alliterative poem on Charles the Bald, every word of which begins with c. Henry Harder composed a poem of 100 lines, in Latin hexameters, on cats, every word of which begins with c. The title is Canum cum Catis certamen carmine compositum currents calamo C Catulli Caninii. The first line is - "Cattorum canimus certamina clara canumqua." Hamonicus wrote the Certamen catholicum cum Calvinistis, every word of which begins with c. It is a curious coincidence that the names of these three men all begin with H. In the Materia more Magistralis every word begins with m. Placentius, the Dominican, who died 1548, wrote a poem of 258 Latin hexameters, called Pugna Porcorum, every word of which begins with p. It begins thus: - "Plaudite, Porcelli, porcorum pigra propago." Which may be translated - "Praise, Paul, prize pig's prolific progeny." Tusser, who died 1580, has a rhyming poem of twelve lines, every word of which begins with t. The Rev. B. Poulter, prebendary of Winchester, composed in 1828 the famous alliterative alphabetic poem in rhymes. Each word of each line begins with the letter of the alphabet which it represents. It begins thus: - "An Austrian army awfully arrayed, Boldly by battery besieged Belgrade; Cussack commanders, cannonading come, Dealing destruction's devastating doom; ..." Some ascribe this alliterative poem to Alaric A. Watts (1820). (See H. Southgate, Many Thoughts on Many Things.) Another attempt of the same kind begins thus: - "About an age ago, as all agree, Beauteous Belinda, brewing best Bohea Carelessly chattered, controverting clean, Dublin's derisive, disputatious dean ..." Source: Brewer's Dictionary. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Assonance is a kind of alliteration that uses repeated initial vowel sounds.
Well-known examples of alliteration are tongue-twisters such as "Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran" or "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers".
Alliteration makes for very catchy phrases and is frequently used in modern news headlines, corporate names, literary titles, advertising, buzzwords, and nursery rhymes. Some examples:
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Alliteration."
Synonyms: AlliterationSynonyms: beginning rhyme (n), head rhyme (n), initial rhyme (n). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Ornament | Inversion, antithesis, alliteration, paronomasia; figurativeness; (metaphor). |
Similarity | Alliteration, rhyme, pun. |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Alliteration |
| English words defined with "alliteration": Agnomination, Alliteral, alliterate, alliterator, Annomination ♦ euphuism ♦ polyphonic prose. (references) |
| Specialty definitions using "alliteration": Chalk and Cheese ♦ Fish and Flesh. (references) |
| Non-English Usage: "Alliteration" is also a word in the following language with the English translation in parentheses. German (alliteration). |
| Domain | Title |
Books |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| "Alliteration" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 100.00% of the time. "Alliteration" is used about 43 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (singular) | 100% | 43 | 52,181 |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day |
alliteration | 199 |
alliteration poem | 134 |
alliteration example | 27 |
alliteration poetry | 23 |
alliteration example poem | 10 |
alliteration in poem | 10 |
alliteration definition | 6 |
alliteration define | 5 |
alliteration poem using | 4 |
alliteration lesson plan | 4 |
alliteration in poetry | 4 |
alliteration book | 3 |
alliteration love poem | 2 |
alliteration example poetry | 2 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Language | Translations for "alliteration"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Afrikaan | alliterasie. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Albanian | aliteracion. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arabic | تكرير حرف, جناس. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulgarian | алитерация (stave rhyme). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese | 头韵. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Czech | aliterace. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dutch | alliteratie, stafrým. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Esperanto | aliteracio. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finnish | alkusointu. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
French | allitération. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
German | ALLITERATION. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greek | παρήχηση (assonance). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hebrew | כפל לשון (tautology), "'ו'. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hungarian | alliteráció (stave rhyme). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indonesian | aliterasi. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italian | allitterazione. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Kanji | 韻 . (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Katakana | とうい" (attendance at the House, party member). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Korean | 두운. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manx | aalettyraghys. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Papiamen | aliterashon. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pig Latin | alliterationay aliteração. (various references) aliteraţie. (various references) аллитерация (alliterations, jingle). (various references) aliteracija. (various references) aliteración. (various references) allitteration (assonance). (various references) aynı sesin tekrarı, aliterasyon (stave rhyme), ses yinelemesi. (various references) алітерація. (various references) sự lặp lại âm đầu. (various references) cyseinedd, cyflythreniad. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Latin | 500 BCE-Modern | ad-. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "alliteration": alliterations. (additional references) | |
| |
"Alliteration" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: abliteration, aliteration, aliterioi, allideration, allinteration, alliteartion, alliteraion, allit-eration, alliteraton, enliteration, illiteration. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "alliteration" (pronounced uli"terā'shun) |
| 5 | -er ā' sh u n | deterioration, incineration. |
| 4 | -ā' sh u n | alternation, brutalization, circulation, conceptualization, decimation, excoriation, homogenization, oversimplification, reeducation, reintegration, substation, syncopation, workstation. |
| 3 | -sh u n | abbreviation, abdication, abduction, aberration, abolition, abomination, abortion, abrogation, absolution, absorption, abstraction, academician, acceleration, accession, acclimation, accommodation, accreditation, accretion, accumulation, accusation, acidification, acquisition, action, activation, adaptation, addiction, addition, adjudication, administration, admiration, admission, admonition, adoption, adoration, adulation, advection, advocation, affectation, affection, affiliation, affirmation, affliction, agglomeration, aggravation, aggression, agitation, alienation, allegation, alleviation, allocation, alphabetization, alteration, altercation, amalgamation, ambition, amelioration, ammunition, amortization, amplification, amputation, animation, annexation, annihilation, annotation, antiabortion, anticipation, anticorruption, antidiscrimination, apparition, appellation, application, apportion, appreciation, apprehension, approbation, appropriation, approximation, arbitration, argumentation, articulation, ascension, ashen, aspiration, assassination, assertion, assimilation, association, assumption, attention, attraction, attribution, attrition, auction, audition, augmentation, authentication, authorization, automation, aviation, avocation, balkanization, beautician, benediction, bifurcation, calculation, calibration, cancellation, cannibalization, capitalization, capitulation, caption, carburetion, carnation, castration, categorization, causation, caution, celebration, centralization, certification, cessation, cetacean, characterization, circumspection, citation, civilization, clarification, classification, clinician, coagulation, coalition, codification, coercion, cogeneration, cogitation, cognition, cohabitation, collaboration, collection, collectivization, colonization, coloration, colorization, combination, commemoration, commendation, commercialization, commission, commotion, communication, communization, compassion, compensation, competition, compilation, completion, complexion, complication, composition, comprehension, compression, compulsion, compunction, computation, computerization, concatenation, concentration, conception, concession, conciliation, concoction, concussion, condemnation, condensation, condescension, condition, conduction, confabulation, confection, confederation, confession, configuration, confirmation, confiscation, conflagration, confrontation, conglomeration, congratulation, congregation, conjugation, conjunction, connection, conniption, connotation, conscription, consecration, conservation, consideration, consolation, consolidation, constellation, consternation, constipation, constitution, constriction, construction, consultation, consummation, consumption, contamination, contemplation, contention, continuation, contortion, contraception, contraction, contradiction, contraption, contribution, contrition, convection, convention, conversation, conviction, convocation, convolution, convulsion, cooperation, coordination, coronation, corporation, correction, correlation, corroboration, corruption, counterrevolution, creation, cremation, criminalization, crucifixion, crustacean, culmination, cultivation, cushion, dalmatian, damnation, decaffeination, decapitation, deceleration, decentralization, deception, decertification, declaration, decommission, decomposition, decompression, deconstruction, decontamination, decoration, decriminalization, dedication, deduction, defamation, defection, definition, deflation, deforestation, deformation, degeneration, degradation, dehumanization, dehydration, deification, deinstitutionalization, delegation, deletion, deliberation, delineation, demarcation, demilitarization, demobilization, democratization, demodulation, demolition, demonization, demonstration, demoralization, demotion, denationalization, denomination, dentition, denuclearization, denunciation, depiction, depletion, depopulation, deportation, deposition, depravation, depreciation, depredation, depression, deprivation, deregulation, dereliction, derivation, desalination, desalinization, description, desecration, desegregation, desertion, desiccation, designation, desolation, desperation, destabilization, destination, destitution, destruction, detection, detention, determination, detonation, detoxication, detoxification, devaluation, devastation, deviation, devolution, devotion, dictation, diction, dietitian, differentiation, diffraction, digression, dilatation, dilation, dilution, dimension, diminution, direction, disaffection, discoloration, disconnection, discontinuation, discretion, discrimination, discussion, disembarkation, disinclination, disinfection, disinflation, disinformation, disintegration, dislocation, disorganization, disorientation, dispensation, disposition, disputation, disqualification, disruption, dissatisfaction, dissection, dissemination, dissension, dissertation, dissipation, dissociation, dissolution, distillation, distinction, distortion, distraction, distribution, diversification, divination, documentation, domestication, domination, donation, dramatization, duplication, duration, dysfunction, echolocation, edification, edition, education, egyptian, ejaculation, ejection, elaboration, elation, election, electrician, electrification, electrocution, elevation, elimination, elocution, elongation, emanation, emancipation, embarkation, emigration, emission, emotion, emulation, emulsion, encryption, enumeration, equalization, equitation, equivocation, eradication, erection, erudition, eruption, escalation, estimation, evacuation, evaluation, evaporation, eviction, evocation, evolution, exacerbation, exaction, exaggeration, examination, exasperation, excavation, exception, excitation, exclamation, excommunication, excretion, execution, exemption, exertion, exfoliation, exhalation, exhibition, exhilaration, exhortation, exhumation, exoneration, expansion, expatriation, expectation, expedition, experimentation, expiration, explanation, explication, exploitation, exploration, exposition, expression, expropriation, expulsion, extension, extermination, extinction, extortion, extraction, extradition, extrapolation, fabrication, facilitation, faction, falsification, fascination, fashion, federation, fermentation, fertilization, fibrillation, fiction, figuration, filtration, fission, fixation, flexion, flirtation, flotation, fluctuation, fluoridation, foliation, formalization, formation, formulation, fortification, foundation, fraction, fragmentation, freshen, friction, fruition, frustration, fumigation, function, gasification, gastrulation, generalization, generation, gentian, gentrification, geriatrician, germination, gestation, glaciation, globalization, glorification, gradation, graduation, granulation, gratification, gravitation, gumption, gyration, habitation, hallucination, harmonization, hesitation, hessian, hibernation, hospitalization, humiliation, hybridization, hydration, hydrogenation, hyperinflation, hypertension, hypotension, identification, ignition, illumination, illustration, imagination, imitation, immigration, immunization, impassion, imperfection, impersonation, implantation, implementation, implication, importation, imposition, impregnation, impression, improvisation, imputation, inaction, inactivation, inauguration, incantation, incapacitation, incarceration, incarnation, inception, inclination, incoordination, incorporation, incrimination, incrustation, incubation, indemnification, indentation, indexation, indication, indignation, indiscretion, indoctrination, induction, industrialization, infarction, infatuation, infection, infestation, infiltration, inflammation, inflation, inflection, infliction, information, infraction, inhabitation, inhalation, inhibition, initiation, injection, injunction, innovation, inoculation, inquisition, inscription, insemination, insertion, insinuation, inspection, inspiration, installation, instigation, institution, institutionalization, instruction, instrumentation, insubordination, insulation, insurrection, integration, intensification, interaction, interception, intercession, interconnection, interdiction, interjection, intermission, internationalization, interpretation, interrogation, interruption, intersection, intimation, intimidation, intonation, intoxication, introduction, introspection, intuition, inundation, invalidation, invention, investigation, invitation, invocation, ionization, irradiation, irrigation, irritation, isolation, jubilation, junction, jurisdiction, justification, juxtaposition, laceration, lactation, legalization, legislation, levitation, liberalization, liberation, libration, ligation, lilliputian, limitation, liposuction, liquefaction, liquidation, litigation, localization, location, locomotion, logician, lotion, lubrication, machination, magician, magnetization, magnification, malformation, malfunction, malnutrition, manifestation, manipulation, mansion, marginalization, martian, masturbation, mathematician, maturation, maximization, mechanization, mediation, medication, meditation, menstruation, mention, midsection, migration, mineralization, miniaturization, ministration, misallocation, misapplication, misapprehension, misappropriation, miscalculation, mischaracterization, miscommunication, misconception, miscreation, misidentification, misimpression, misinformation, misinterpretation, misperception, misrepresentation, mission, mitigation, mobilization, moderation, modernization, modification, modulation, molestation, monopolization, mortician, motion, motivation, multiplication, mummification, munition, musician, mutation, mutilation, narration, nation, nationalization, naturalization, navigation, negation, negotiation, neutralization, nitration, nomination, nonaggression, nondiscrimination, nonfiction, nonprescription, nonproliferation, normalization, notation, notification, notion, nucleation, nullification, nutrition, obfuscation, objection, obligation, observation, obsession, obstetrician, obstruction, occupation, ocean, omission, operation, opposition, oppression, optician, optimization, option, oration, orchestration, ordination, organisation, organization, orientation, origination, ornamentation, oscillation, ossification, ostentation, ovation, overconsumption, overexpansion, overpopulation, overproduction, overprotection, overreaction, overregulation, overvaluation, ovulation, oxidation, pacification, pagination, palpitation, participation, partition, passion, pasteurization, patrician, pediatrician, penetration, pension, perception, percussion, perfection, perforation, permission, permutation, perpetuation, persecution, personalization, personification, perspiration, perturbation, petition, physician, pigmentation, plantation, polarization, politician, politicization, pollination, pollution, pontification, popularization, population, portion, position, possession, potion, precaution, precession, precipitation, preconception, precondition, predestination, prediction, predilection, predisposition, preelection, preemption, prefabrication, preignition, premeditation, premonition, preoccupation, preparation, prescription, presentation, preservation, pressurization, presumption, presupposition, pretension, prevention, privation, privatization, probation, procession, proclamation, procrastination, procreation, production, profanation, profession, prognostication, progression, prohibition, projection, proliferation, promotion, pronunciation, propagation, proportion, proposition, propulsion, proration, proscription, prosecution, prostitution, prostration, protection, protestation, provocation, publication, punctuation, purification, qualification, quantification, quotation, radiation, radicalization, ramification, ratification, ration, rationalization, reaction, reaffirmation, realization, reallocation, reassertion, reauthorization, recalculation, recantation, recapitalization, reception, recertification, recession, recitation, reclamation, reclassification, recognition, recollection, recommendation, reconciliation, recondition, reconfiguration, reconfirmation, reconsideration, reconstruction, recreation, recrimination, rectification, recuperation, redecoration, rededication, redefinition, redemption, redirection, redistribution, reduction, reelection, reevaluation, reexamination, reflation, reflection, reforestation, reformation, refrigeration, refutation, regeneration, regimentation, registration, regression, regulation, rehabilitation, rehydration, reimposition, reincarnation, reincorporation, reinspection, reinterpretation, reintroduction, reinvention, reinvigoration, reiteration, rejection, rejuvenation, relation, relaxation, relocation, remediation, remission, remuneration, renationalization, rendition, renegotiation, renomination, renovation, renunciation, reorganization, reparation, repatriation, repercussion, repetition, replication, reposition, repossession, representation, repression, reproduction, repudiation, reputation, requisition, reregulation, reservation, resignation, resolution, respiration, restitution, restoration, restriction, resumption, resurrection, resuscitation, retaliation, retardation, retention, retraction, retransmission, retribution, reunification, revaluation, revelation, reverberation, revitalization, revocation, revolution, revulsion, rhetorician, rotation, rumination, salvation, sanctification, sanction, sanitation, saponification, satisfaction, saturation, secession, secretion, section, securitization, sedation, sedimentation, sedition, seduction, segmentation, segregation, selection, sensation, separation, sequestration, session, simplification, simulation, situation, socialization, solicitation, solution, sophistication, specialization, specification, speculation, stabilization, stagflation, stagnation, standardization, starvation, station, statistician, sterilization, stimulation, stipulation, strangulation, subluxation, submission, subordination, subscription, subsection, subsidization, substantiation, substitution, subtraction, suburbanization, succession, suction, suffocation, summation, superstation, superstition, supposition, suppression, suspension, suspicion, syndication, tabulation, tactician, taxation, technician, telecommunication, temptation, tension, termination, theoretician, titian, titillation, toleration, traction, tradition, transaction, transcription, transection, transformation, transgression, transillumination, transition, translation, transmission, transplantation, transportation, trepidation, triangulation, tribulation, tuition, undervaluation, unification, unionization, urbanization, usurpation, utilization, vacation, vaccination, vacillation, validation, valuation, vaporization, variation, vegetation, venetian, ventilation, verification, vibration, victimization, vilification, vindication, violation, visitation, visualization, vocation, volition, vulgarization, westernization. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "a-a-e-i-i-l-l-n-o-r-t-t" | |
-1 letter: retaliation. | |
-2 letters: alteration, literation, relational, tortellini. | |
-3 letters: alienator, intertill, iteration, natrolite, rationale. | |
-4 letters: aeration, allanite, allotter, alterant, antiriot, antiroll, arillate, attainer, illation, inertial, literati, littoral, notarial, oriental, rational, reattain, relation, tarletan, tolerant, tortilla, trillion, troilite, trotline. | |
-5 letters: aeolian, aileron, airline, alation, alienor, antiair, arietta, arnatto, elation, inertia, intitle, intreat, introit, iterant, lanital, lateral, latrine, lintier. | |
| Words containing the letters "a-a-e-i-i-l-l-n-o-r-t-t" | |
+1 letter: alliterations. | |
+2 letters: lateralization, literalization, reinstallation. | |
+3 letters: internationally, lateralizations, literalizations, orientationally, reinstallations. | |
+5 letters: architectonically, interpopulational, intraperitoneally, multigenerational, recrystallization. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
Hexadecimal (or equivalents, 770AD-1900s) (references)41 6C 6C 69 74 65 72 61 74 69 6F 6E |
| Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519; backwards) (references)
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| American Sign Language (origins from 1620-1817 in Italy and, especially, France) (references)
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| Semaphore (1791, in France) (references)
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| Braille (1829, in France) (references)
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Morse Code (1836) (references).- .-.. .-.. .. - . .-. .- - .. --- -. |
| Dancing Men (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1903) (references)
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Binary Code (1918-1938, probably earlier) (references)01000001 01101100 01101100 01101001 01110100 01100101 01110010 01100001 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 |
HTML Code (1990) (references)A l l i t e r a t i o n |
ISO 10646 (1991-1993) (references)0041 006C 006C 0069 0074 0065 0072 0061 0074 0069 006F 006E |
| British Sign Language (Fingerspelling, BSL; 1992, British Deaf Association Dictionary of British Sign Language) (references)
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Encryption (beginner's substitution cypher): (references)357878758671846786758180 |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Commercial | 5. Usage Frequency 6. Expressions: Internet 7. Translations: Modern 8. Translations: Ancient | 9. Derivations 10. Rhymes 11. Anagrams 12. Orthography | 13. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
