How to pronounce contravallation
Say it like kon-truh-vuh-LAY-shun. Contravallation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contravallation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kon
- truh
- vuh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contravallation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- konGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contravallation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-truh-vuh-LAY-shun.
What does contravallation mean?
- A fortification built around a sieged target by the besiegers.
Where does contravallation come from?
By surface analysis, contra- + vallation (“rampart”).
Words that rhyme with contravallation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contravallation.
Questions about saying contravallation
How do you pronounce contravallation?
Say kon-truh-vuh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntrəvəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntrəvəˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contravallation?
Contravallation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY). Broken into parts: kon · truh · vuh · LAY · shun.
Is contravallation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒntrəvəˈleɪʃən/ (kon-truh-vuh-LAY-shun).