Definition of RHOTACISM

rhotacism

Meanings

Plural: rhotacisms

Noun

  • An exaggerated use of the sound of the letter R.
  • A linguistic phenomenon in which a consonant changes into an R; rhotacization.
  • The inability to pronounce the letter R; derhotacization.

Origin / Etymology

From New Latin rhōtacismus, from Ancient Greek *ῥωτακισμός (*rhōtakismós), from ῥωτακίζω (rhōtakízō, “to incorrectly use rho”), from ῥῶ (rhô, “rho (the Greek equivalent of r)”) in analogy with ἰωτακίζω (iōtakízō, “to incorrectly use iota”); itself from ἰῶτα (iôta) in analogy with ἀττικίζω (attikízō, “talk like an Athenian”). By surface analysis, rho + -tacism.

Scrabble Score: 16

rhotacism is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
rhotacism is not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
rhotacism is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 0

rhotacism is not valid in Words With Friends