macron
/ˈmeɪkɹɑn/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.95 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A short, straight, horizontal diacritical mark (◌̄) placed over a letter, usually to indicate that the pronunciation of a vowel is long.
name
A surname from French.
Example Sentences
- "We say such words belong to a Long family, because of the long macron hat the vowels wear. Like the other twin o's, one hat is enough for both, for these twins are always found together."
- "A macron is a mark placed above a long vowel to mark its quantity."
- "All vowels are pronounced short unless marked with a ¯ (macron) over them. So observe different vowel length of ‘i ’ in, e.g., fīlia, etc. It may be helpful, but is not essential, to mark macra in your exercises."
- "Uncertain how to address a French preoccupation with security and immigration, and facing a generational fracture over identity politics, the left’s disarray has allowed Mr. Macron to tilt rightward for votes."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈmeɪkɹɑn/
- British English: /ˈmækɹɒn/