Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

uncial

/ˈʌn.si.əl/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.70 in modern English

Syllables: un-ci-al
IPA: /ˈʌn.si.əl/

8

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Of or relating to an ounce, or an inch, especially to letters printed an inch high.

adj

Of or relating to a majuscule style of writing with unjoined, rounded letters, originally used in the 4th–9th centuries.

noun

A style of writing using uncial letters.

noun

A letter in this style.

noun

A manuscript in this style.

Example Sentences

"This, also written in black letter, we found inscribed on a second parchment that was in the coffer, apparently somewhat older in date than that on which was inscribed the mediæval Latin translation of the uncial Greek of which I shall speak presently."

Etymology

Attested 1650, from Latin ū̆ncia (“a twelfth part, ounce, inch”) + -al.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: ū̆ncia
Suffix: -al

Inflected Forms

more uncial (comparative) most uncial (superlative) uncials (plural)

Derived Forms

semiuncial uncialize uncially

Phrases

semi-uncial half-uncial

Frequently Paired Words

uncia ounce inch

Questions

How do you pronounce uncial?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈʌn.si.əl/.
What does uncial mean?: Of or relating to an ounce, or an inch, especially to letters printed an inch high.
Where does uncial come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce uncial

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