Dissyllabize

/dɪsɪˈlæbɪz/ verb

Definition

American spelling: to divide or arrange into two syllables.

Etymology

From dissyllabic + -ize (American English suffix from Greek -izein). The American variant of dissyllabise, using the -ize ending standard in US English.

Kelly Says

The -ize/-ise split happened when American English publishers standardized on Greek-based -ize endings in the 1800s, while Britain stuck with the earlier -ise; it's one of the most consistent spelling differences between the two dialects.

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