gravo-comb. form
Stress is usually determined by a subsequent element and vowels may be reduced accordingly. Some degree of stress is usually maintained on the first syllable. If the subsequent element is an existing word, it is likely to retain its original stress pattern, e.g.
gravo-acute Brit. /ˌɡreɪvəʊəˈkjuːt/,
U.S. /ˌɡreɪvoʊəˈkjut/.
Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: grave adj.1, -o- connective.
Etymology: < grave adj.1 + -o- connective.With gravo-acute (see quot. 1807) compare acuto-grave at acuto- comb. form 1. The expected combining form of grave adj.1 would be gravi- ; compare e.g. graviloquence n., gravisonous adj.
1807 J. Thelwall in 23 30 Their distinctions of gravo-acute and acuto-grave or circumflexes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).