Figure Quote by Samuel Johnson
““APOCOPE (APO'COPE) n.s.[ figure in grammar,when the last letter or syllable of a word is taken away; as, ingeni for ingenii.””
About This Quote
Source Dictionary entry: “apocope” in A Dictionary of the English Language, 1755
Apocope describes the omission of a word’s final sound or letters.
In simple terms: Dropping the ending of a word.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and use apocope in language.
Themes
linguistics
grammar
phonology
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
linguistic
technical
When to use this quote
- poetry
- creative writing
- language teaching
- speech therapy
Key Concepts
morphology
etymology
language evolution
Questions to Reflect On
- When does apocope enhance style?
- What risks does it pose for clarity?
A Different Perspective
Overuse can obscure meaning or sound forced.
![“May it [American independence] be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73f/thomas-jefferson-43_american-independenc_may-it-american-independence-be-to-the-w_931310.jpg)
