How to pronounce palimpsest
Say it like PAL-imp-sest. Palimpsest has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce palimpsest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAL
- imp
- sest
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Palimpsest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- impKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- sestKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of palimpsest
American and British speakers say palimpsest in essentially the same way: /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/ in the US and /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAL-imp-sest.
What does palimpsest mean?
- A manuscript or document that has been erased or scraped clean, for reuse of the paper, parchment, vellum, or other medium on which it was written.
- Circular features believed to be lunar craters that have been obliterated by later volcanic activity.
- Geological features thought to be related to features or effects below the surface.
- To scrape clean, as in parchment, for reuse.
- On paper: to reuse, often by erasure or change of pen direction or color. Especially fueled by Earth Day.
Questions about saying palimpsest
How do you pronounce palimpsest?
Say PAL-imp-sest. The American pronunciation is /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/. In British English it is /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in palimpsest?
Palimpsest has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAL). Broken into parts: PAL · imp · sest.
Do Americans and Brits say palimpsest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/ and the British form is /ˈpælɪmpsɛst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.