alliterative
UK[əˈlɪtərətɪv]US[əˈlɪtəreɪtɪv]
adj
characterized by or using alliteration; the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
Morpheme Breakdown
al
liter
ative
al
to, towards
liter
letter
ative
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'alliterative' is built upon the latin root 'littera', meaning 'letter'. the prefix 'ad-' (meaning 'to, towards') was assimilated to 'al-' before the root, creating the sense of 'to the letter' or 'pertaining to letters'. the suffix '-ative' was added to form an adjective, describing the quality of something. thus, the literal construction 'pertaining to letters' evolved into the specific modern meaning of a stylistic device where initial letters or sounds are repeated.
Analysis
Structure: al (to, towards) + liter (letter) + ative (adjective suffix)
- al: latin origin (ad-), meaning "to, towards". functional role: prefix.
- liter: latin origin (littera), meaning "letter". functional role: root.
- ative: latin origin (-ativus), meaning "of, relating to, or tending to". functional role: adjective-forming suffix.
Examples
the poet used an alliterative phrase like "wild and woolly" to create a musical effect.
his speech was memorable for its alliterative quality, full of phrases like "safety and security".
the tongue twister is a classic example of alliterative language.