rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -io
Latin

-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

  • -io
  • -ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
  • -ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

372 / 423
Close readable notebook with exactly two words to illustrate poetic rhythm: "the SUN" on first line and "the MOON" on second.
noun

scansion

SKAN-shun/ˈskænʃn/

Analysis of the meter and rhythmic pattern of verse.

Etymology
scansLatinclimb
+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Scandere meant both climbing and scanning verse, making scansion an action of analyzing meter. The connection is uncertain; one suggestion links climbing with poetry’s rising and falling rhythm.

Full entry

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