How to pronounce ossicle
Say it like OS-ih-kul. Ossicle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ossicle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OS
- ih
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ossicle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ossicle
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OS-ih-kul.
What does ossicle mean?
- A small bone (or bony structure), especially one of the three of the middle ear.“The incus is one of the three auditory ossicles.”
- One of numerous small calcareous structures forming the skeleton of certain echinoderms, as the starfishes.“The skeleton of echinoderms is made of ossicles, linked to each other via muscles and connective tissue.”
- One of the hard articuli or joints of the stem or branches of a crinoid or encrinite.
Where does ossicle come from?
Late 16th century, from Latin ossiculum (“little bone, ossicle”) from os (“bone”).
Questions about saying ossicle
How do you pronounce ossicle?
Say OS-ih-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑsɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˈɒsɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ossicle?
Ossicle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OS). Broken into parts: OS · ih · kul.
Is ossicle 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 /ˈɒsɪkəl/ (OS-ih-kul).