on·o·mat·o·poe·ia
/ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiə, ‐ˌmɑtə‐/ Show Spelled[on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐] Show IPA
–noun
1.
the formation of a word, as cuckoo or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.
2.
a word so formed.
3.
Rhetoric. the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical effect.
Origin:
1570–80; < LL < Gk onomatopoiía making of words = onomato- (comb. form of ónoma name) + poi- (s. of poieîn to make; see poet) + -ia -ia
—Related forms
on·o·mat·o·poe·ic, on·o·mat·o·po·et·ic /ˌɒnəˌmætəpoʊˈɛtɪk/ Show Spelled[on-uh-mat-uh-poh-et-ik] Show IPA, adjective
on·o·mat·o·poe·i·cal·ly, on·o·mat·o·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverb
source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/onomatopoeia
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