cynghanedd

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Welsh cynghanedd (“harmony”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /kəŋˈhænɛð/

Noun

cynghanedd (usually uncountable, plural cynganeddion)

  1. (prosody) The complex system of internal assonance, alliteration and rhyme in Welsh strict-meter poetry.
    • 1948 (revised 1952), Robert Graves, The White Goddess, Faber & Faber 1999, p. 14:
      Only certain epithets and metaphors were authorized; themes were similarly restricted, metres fixed, and Cynghanedd, the repetitive use of consonantal sequences with variation of vowels, became a burdensome obsession.
    • 1998, editors (names unknown), "cynghanedd" in Britannica Online Encyclopedia
      There are four fundamental types of cynghanedd, but within these there are a number of refinements and variations. When skillfully used, cynghanedd is capable of conveying an almost unlimited variety of subtle effects.

Welsh

Pronunciation

Noun

cynghanedd f (plural cynganeddion)

  1. (music) harmony
    Synonym: harmoni
  2. (prosody) cynghanedd
  3. harmony, concord
    Synonym: cytgord

Derived terms
  • cynganeddol (“in cynghanedd”)
  • cynganeddu (“to compose cynghanedd”)
  • cynganeddwr (“composer of cynghanedd”)

Mutation
Welsh mutation
radical soft nasal aspirate
cynghanedd gynghanedd nghynghanedd chynghanedd
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading
  • R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “cynghanedd”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
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