haplology

/hæpˈlɒlədʒi/

Definitions

1. noun

The reduction of a sequence of identical sounds to one, especially in speech.

“The linguist studied the phenomenon of haplology in the speaker’s repetition of the phrase ‘no no no’.”

2. noun

A linguistic process where two identical syllables are reduced to one.

“Haplology is a common feature of rapid speech and informal conversation.”

Synonyms

  • assimilation
  • elision