upstep
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An upward shift of tone between the syllables or words of a tonal language.
Example Sentences
- "Such an upstep appears in only a few constructions, and it is conceivable on the basis of the limited evidence cited that it should be attributed to an intonational pattern having a status different from that of downstep, which occurs more commonly in the language. […] After an upstep, following highs continue on the same level until a low or downstep; the upstep simply shifts the entire sequence of terraces back up one level."
- "Thomas (1974:25) considers, but rejects, an analysis very similar to the present proposal […] on the grounds that an analysis that simply upsteps a high-toned TBU before a low tone (one component) is simpler than one that requires the three components just stated."
Etymology
Etymology tree English up- Proto-Germanic *stapjaną Proto-West Germanic *stappjan Old English stæppan Middle English steppen English step English upstep From up- + step.
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Linguistics.