vocable
Word as sound
A vocable is a word considered as a sequence of sounds rather than as a unit of meaning.
In linguistics, it refers to any spoken word or utterance.
The term also applies to meaningless syllables used in music—the hey nonny nonny of folk songs or the doo-wop of early rock and roll.
Vocables serve rhythm and melody rather than communication.
Unit of pronunciation
- phonemeMinimal distinctive sound unit
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- soundAudible wave phenomenon
- articulationClear vocal expression
pronunciation · enunciation · phonetics · phonation · morpheme · consonant · vowel · diphthong
Meaningless words or actions
- scatImprovised vocal jazz
- syllableUnit of pronunciation
- refrainAbstain from acting
- chorusSingers performing together
melisma · lyric · tra-la-la · doo-wop · lilt · chant · hymnal · canticle
Linguistic meaning unit
- termFixed period or word
- lexemeFundamental dictionary unit
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- locutionWord or phrase choice
lexicon · terminology · nomenclature · glossary · semantics · etymology · neologism · coinage
syllable
Unit of pronunciation
articulation · pronunciation · enunciation · phonetics · phonation · morpheme · consonant · vowel · diphthong · monophthong
nonsense
Meaningless words or actions
chorus · melisma · lyric · tra-la-la · doo-wop · lilt · chant · hymnal · canticle · mantra
word
Linguistic meaning unit
- termFixed period or word
- lexemeFundamental dictionary unit
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
locution · lexicon · terminology · nomenclature · glossary · semantics · etymology · neologism · coinage · headword
glyph
Visual form of character
logogram · hieroglyph · pictogram · ideogram · rune · script · alphabet · symbol · sign · writing
- vocabulary buildingExpanding known words
- vocabulary wordWord in a study list
- vocabulary listCompiled terms for learning
- Latin vocabularyWords from ancient Rome's language
- vocabulary testExam measuring word knowledge
- basic vocabularyFoundational words for communication