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A ''rhyming dictionary''' is a specialist ] designed for use in writing ] and ]. In a rhyming dictionary, words are categorized into ]es that consist of words which ] with one another. They will also typically support several different kinds of rhymes, and possibly also ] as well. | ||
| Because rhyming dictionaries are based on ], they are difficult to compile. Words and rhyming patterns change their pronunciation over time and between ]s. Rhyming dictionaries for ], ], or ] would have quite different content. Rhyming dictionaries are invaluable for ] – as they record pronunciation, they can be used to reconstruct pronunciation differences and similarities that are not necessarily reflected in spelling. | Because rhyming dictionaries are based on ], they are difficult to compile. Words and rhyming patterns change their pronunciation over time and between ]s. Rhyming dictionaries for ], ], or ] would have quite different content. Rhyming dictionaries are invaluable for ] – as they record pronunciation, they can be used to reconstruct pronunciation differences and similarities that are not necessarily reflected in spelling. | ||
Revision as of 21:25, 28 June 2015
This article is about a type of reference work used in composing poetry. For the special type of Chinese phonological dictionary, see Rime dictionary. | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Rhyming dictionary" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
A rhyming dictionary' is a specialist dictionary designed for use in writing poetry and lyrics. In a rhyming dictionary, words are categorized into equivalence classes that consist of words which rhyme with one another. They will also typically support several different kinds of rhymes, and possibly also alliteration as well.
Because rhyming dictionaries are based on pronunciation, they are difficult to compile. Words and rhyming patterns change their pronunciation over time and between dialects. Rhyming dictionaries for Old English, Elizabethan poetry, or Standard English would have quite different content. Rhyming dictionaries are invaluable for historical linguistics – as they record pronunciation, they can be used to reconstruct pronunciation differences and similarities that are not necessarily reflected in spelling.
A simple reverse dictionary, which collates words starting from the end, provides a rough rhyming dictionary, to the extent that spelling follows pronunciation, but a precise rhyming dictionary reflects pronunciation, not spelling.
Simple reverse dictionary
Walker's Rhyming Dictionary, one of the oldest, lists words in alphabetical order of the reversed word, with an appendix covering the differently spelled but homo-phonic endings.
Examples:
| Word | Reversed | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Felucca | acculef | A small open boat, s. |
| Angelica | acilegna | A plant, s. |
| Basilica | acilisab | The middle vein of the arm, a. |
| Vomica | acimov | An encysted tumour in the lungs, a. |
| Pica | acip | The green sickness; a printing letter, a. |
| Sciatica | acitaics | The hip-gout, s. |
| Anasarca | acrasana | A sort of dropsy, or pitting of the flesh, s. |
| Armada | adamra | A large fleet of ships of war, s. |
| Cassada | adassac | An American plant, s. |
| Coloquintida | aditniuqoloc | The bitter apple, s. |
| Asafoetida | aditeofasa | A stinking gum, s. |
| Credenda | adnederc | Articles of faith, s. plur. |
| Panacea | aecanap | A universal medicine; an herh, a. |
| Idea | aedi | Mental imagination, s. |
| Bohea | aehob | A species of tea, s. |
| Lea | ael | Grass land enclosed, s, |
| Flea | aelf | A troublesome insect, s. -r |
See also
- Rhyme Genie, rhyming dictionary software
- Rime dictionary, an ancient type of Chinese dictionary
References
- J A Walker (1819). A rhyming dictionary.
External Links
 | This article's use of external links may not follow Misplaced Pages's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (July 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
- A simple reverse dictionary
- What rhymes with?
- Rhymebox
- RhymeZone
- Rhymer
- WikiRhymer
- RhymeIt
- Rhymebrain – Rhyme any word, even made up ones
- Prime-Rhyme
- You Go Rhymes
- Rhyme Desk
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