What does syllabary mean?
A syllabary is a writing system in which each character represents a syllable, such as the Cherokee syllabary devised by Sequoyah. It may also refer to a list or table of the syllables used in a language, especially as an aid to pronunciation. The term names a distinctive principle of writing: signs correspond to syllabic units rather than individual letters or sounds. Syllabaries are associated with writing systems such as Japanese kana and Cherokee, whose characters represent syllabic units. The word is useful because it distinguishes these systems from alphabets and from phonetic spellings. Historically, it derives from Latin syllaba, meaning “syllable,” and ultimately from Greek. Its compact definition makes it a valuable term for discussions of linguistics, literacy, and the history of writing.
nounA writing system in which each character represents a syllable or syllabic sound unit, or a list of the syllables used in a language.
- A writing system whose characters represent syllables or syllabic sound units.
- A list or table of the syllables of a language, especially one used for pronunciation or writing instruction.
"The Cherokee syllabary, devised by Sequoyah, gave the Cherokee language a written form."
"The Cherokee syllabary, devised by Sequoyah, gave the Cherokee language a written form."
"For learners, the textbook provides a syllabary showing how each word divides into syllables."
The regular plural adds -ies to form syllabaries.
"The exhibit compares syllabaries from several writing systems."
Unlike an alphabet, a syllabary can place an entire syllable in a single sign.
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Where does syllabary come from?
The word dates from the 17th century and was formed in English from the Latin stem syllab- and the suffix -ary. Its immediate source was New Latin syllabarium, meaning a system or collection of syllables. The Latin syllaba in turn comes from Greek syllabē, “syllable,” and the word shares that origin with syllable, syllabic, syllabify, and syllabification.
Related word forms
How syllabary is actually used
A specialized, formal term used mainly in discussions of linguistics, writing systems, and literacy instruction.
Easily confused with syllabary
A syllable is a spoken or written unit of sound, whereas a syllabary is a writing system or list in which such units are represented.