Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

spathe

/speɪð/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.62 in modern English

Syllables: spathe
IPA: /speɪð/

11

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

1

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A large bract that envelops or subtends a whole inflorescence, typically a spadix.

Example Sentences

"All the joints and angles are coffered with strips of split rattan sewn neatly on. The lid is covered with the brown leathery spathe of the Areca palm, which is impervious to water, and the whole box is neat, strong, and well finished."

Etymology

From Latin spatha, from Ancient Greek σπάθη (spáthē, “blade”). Doublet of epee, spatha, and spade.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: *(s)peh₂-, spatha, σπάθη

Inflected Forms

spathes (plural)

Derived Forms

spathaceous spathal spathate spathed

Frequently Paired Words

spadix

Rhymes With

bathe lathe swathe rathe scathe saithe staithe enswathe flathe snathe stathe beswathe

Questions

How do you pronounce spathe?: The recorded pronunciation is /speɪð/.
What does spathe mean?: A large bract that envelops or subtends a whole inflorescence, typically a spadix.
Where does spathe come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce spathe

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