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vo·cal·ism

(vōkə-lĭz′əm)

1. Use of the voice in speaking or singing.

2. Music The act, technique, or art of singing.

3. Linguistics

a. A vowel sound.

b. A system of vowels used in a language or dialect.

vo′cal·istic adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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