Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

chiasma

/kaɪˈæzmə/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.18 in modern English

Syllables
chi-as-ma
IPA
/kaɪˈæzmə/
14
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A crossing of two nerves, ligaments etc.

noun

The contact point between the two chromatids of a chromosome during meiosis.

noun

An instance of chiasmus.

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek χῖ (khî) Ancient Greek -ᾰ́ζω (-ắzō) Ancient Greek χῑᾰ́ζω (khīắzō) Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Hellenic *-mə Ancient Greek -μᾰ (-mă) Ancient Greek χῑ́ασμα (khī́asma)der. New Latin chiasmader. English chiasma From New Latin chiasma, from Ancient Greek χῑ́ασμα (khī́asma), from χῑάζω (khīázō, “to mark with an X”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: chiasma, χῑ́ασμα

Regional Pronunciation

  • British English: /kaɪˈæzmə/

Inflected Forms

chiasmas (plural) chiasmata (plural) chiasm (alternative)

Derived Forms

prechiasmal

Phrases

optic chiasma

Frequently Paired Words

chiasmus

Synonyms

chiasm decussation

Rhymes With

plasma miasma melasma chasma phantasma chloasma

Questions

How do you pronounce chiasma?
The recorded pronunciation is /kaɪˈæzmə/.
What does chiasma mean?
A crossing of two nerves, ligaments etc.
Where does chiasma come from?
It is traced to Ancient Greek.

How to pronounce chiasma

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “chiasma”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kaɪˈæzmə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “chiasma”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “chiasma” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.