How Do You Spell LIPOGRAM?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪpəɡɹˌam] (IPA)

The word "lipogram" is spelled as "lɪpəɡræm". The first syllable "lɪp" refers to the lips, while the second syllable "əɡræm" comes from the Greek word "gramma", meaning letter. A lipogram is a composition or literary work where the author intentionally omits one or more letters from the alphabet. This word was coined in the early 1900s and is often used in literature, linguistics, and other academic fields to describe a specific style or genre of writing.

LIPOGRAM Meaning and Definition

1. A lipogram is a form of written or spoken composition where the author intentionally avoids using a particular letter or group of letters throughout the entire text. Originating from the Greek word "leipogrammatos," meaning "to omit a letter," lipograms challenge linguistic and literary norms by imposing restrictions on expression and creativity.

   In a lipogram, the excluded letter(s) may be omitted repeatedly or even excluded entirely, thereby compelling the author to find alternative phrasings, synonyms, or word substitutions. This demanding constraint aims to test the author's ingenuity, linguistic prowess, and vocabularly power, while simultaneously engaging readers in deciphering the hidden structures. The outcome of such literary exercises can often be rich in poetic nuances, wordplay, and unanticipated linguistic beauty.

   Lipograms have a long historical tradition, with examples dating back to classical antiquity. However, they continue to captivate contemporary writers who appreciate the intellectual challenge and the unconventional aspects they bring to literary works. Additionally, lipograms provide an avenue to explore linguistic diversity and the inherent connotations associated with each letter or phoneme. By avoiding a specific letter(s), the author plays with the very fabric of language, allowing readers to engage in a unique linguistic adventure.

   Ultimately, lipograms serve as an intriguing display of an author's linguistic prowess and their ability to manipulate words, resulting in texts that demand both skilled composition and attentive interpretation from their readers.

2. A writing in which a particular letter is wholly omitted throughout.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LIPOGRAM

• pipogram
• oipogram
• lupogram
• ljpogram
• lkpogram
• lopogram
• l9pogram
• l8pogram
• lioogram
• li-ogram
• li0ogram
• lipigram
• lipkgram
• liplgram
• lippgram
• lip0gram
• lip9gram
• lipofram
• lipovram

Etymology of LIPOGRAM

The word lipogram comes from the combination of two Greek words: lipo meaning to leave out or to abandon and gramma meaning letter or writing. So, the etymology of lipogram literally translates to abandoning a letter or leaving out a letter.

Plural form of LIPOGRAM is LIPOGRAMS