alliterate
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alliterate
to use two or more words having the same initial sound, as in: Sister Suzie sews shirts for sixty-six seasick sailors.
Not to be confused with:
illiterate – unable to read and write; having little or no formal education: He has a lot of native intelligence but he is illiterate.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
al·lit·er·ate
(ə-lĭt′ə-rāt′)v. al·lit·er·at·ed, al·lit·er·at·ing, al·lit·er·ates
v.intr.
1. To use alliteration in speech or writing.
2. To have or contain alliteration.
v.tr.
To form or arrange with alliteration.
[Back-formation from alliteration.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
alliterate
(əˈlɪtəˌreɪt)vb
1. (Poetry) to contain or cause to contain alliteration
2. (Poetry) (intr) to speak or write using alliteration
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
al•lit•er•ate
(əˈlɪt əˌreɪt)v. -at•ed, -at•ing. v.i.
1. to show alliteration.
2. to use alliteration.
v.t. 3. to compose or arrange with alliteration.
[1810–20]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
alliterate
Past participle: alliterated
Gerund: alliterating
Imperative |
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alliterate |
alliterate |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
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