How to pronounce levirate
Say it like LEV-ih-rut. Levirate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce levirate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEV
- ih
- rut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Levirate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- rutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of levirate
American and British speakers say levirate in essentially the same way: /ˈlɛvɪrət/ in the US and /ˈlɛvɪrət/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEV-ih-rut.
What does levirate mean?
- Having to do with one's husband's brother.
- A marriage between a widow and her deceased husband's brother or, sometimes, heir.
- The institution of levirate marriage.
Where does levirate come from?
From Latin lēvir (“husband's brother, brother-in-law”) + -ate (adjective-forming suffix), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dayh₂wḗr (“one's brother-in-law”).
Questions about saying levirate
How do you pronounce levirate?
Say LEV-ih-rut. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɛvɪrət/. In British English it is /ˈlɛvɪrət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in levirate?
Levirate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEV). Broken into parts: LEV · ih · rut.
Do Americans and Brits say levirate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɛvɪrət/ and the British form is /ˈlɛvɪrət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.