anisyllable

Anisyllable is a term found in some linguistic and prosodic writings to describe a unit of speech that does not map neatly onto a single syllable under a given analysis. The concept is not standardized across the field, and its definition can vary depending on the theoretical framework or language being discussed.

In one common usage, an anisyllable refers to a prosodic unit that behaves as a coherent whole but spans more than one syllable, or alternatively, that functions as a distinct unit inside a syllable boundary. In another approach, the term is used to describe a boundary-crossing unit whose properties (such as stress, timing, or morae) cannot be fully captured by a conventional syllable-based analysis. Because of these differing viewpoints, anisyllable is often described as a theoretical convenience rather than a universally required category.

The term is relatively specialized and appears mainly in discussions of languages with complex syllable structures, affixal morphology affecting syllable boundaries, or certain metrical analyses in poetry and phonology. It is typically invoked to account for rhythmic or segmental patterns that resist straightforward syllabification.

See also: syllable, mora, prosodic word, foot, boundary, metrical phonology. Note that readers may encounter anisyllable with varying definitions, and it is advisable to consult the specific work for the precise sense used.