Apertures is the plural form of aperture, meaning openings or gaps in a barrier or object. In technical writing it often refers to adjustable openings in devices, optics, or enclosures. The term is used across science, engineering, and photography contexts, typically in plural usages to discuss multiple openings or adjustable diaphragms.
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"The camera’s apertures vary to control the amount of light reaching the sensor."
"The lab design includes several air apertures to improve ventilation."
"Photographers often adjust apertures for depth of field."
"The engineer examined the machine’s apertures to ensure proper airflow."
Aperture comes from the French aperture, from Latin apertura, meaning opening, from aperire, to open. The word entered English in the late 16th to early 17th century, initially used in optics and architecture to describe an opening or gap. Over time, it broadened to general usage for any opening, including mechanical, architectural, or natural gaps. The specialized sense in photography and optics—an adjustable opening controlling light—developed alongside advances in lenses and diaphragms in the 19th and 20th centuries, as precision instrumentation demanded precise control of exposure and illumination. The plural apertures preserves the sense of multiple openings, common in technical manuals and design schematics. First known attestations appear in scientific texts referencing openings in instruments and architectural features, with the sense narrowed in modern usage to include adjustable, variable-sized holes in optical devices and ventilated systems.
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Words that rhyme with "apertures"
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You pronounce it as /ˈæpərtʃərz/ in US and UK, with two syllables stressed on the first: AP-er-chures, where the middle is a soft schwa + rhotic ending. In careful speech, aim for a crisp /p/ release followed by a clear /tʃ/ as in 'church', then the final /ərz/. Audio reference: think of ‘aperture’ + plural -s; IPA helps you map the mouth positions: /ˈæpərtʃərz/.
Common errors include devoicing or softening the /t/ into a quick /d/ or /t/ blends, producing /ˈæpərdʒərz/ or /ˈæpərtʃərz/ with an inaccurate /tʃ/ sequence. Another mistake is reducing /ər/ to a quick schwa or misplacing stress, saying ‘AP-er-chers’ or ‘ap-ER-tures’. Correct by ensuring the /p/ is aspirated, the /t/ is alveolar with a light release, and the /tʃ/ is a single affricate, followed by a clear /ər/ before the final /z/.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary variance is in the rhotic vowel and the /ər/ sequence. US typically uses a rhotic /ər/ with a stronger rhoticity and a slightly reduced second syllable, sounding like /ˈæpərtərz/. UK tends toward a shorter, tenser /ə/ in the second syllable, /ˈæpəˌtʃəz/ in some dialects, with less rhotic emphasis. Australian speech often shows a centralized /ə/ and a variable /tʃ/ cluster, yielding /ˈæpət(j)əz/. In all accents, the initial /æ/ and the /p/ and /t/ articulations are consistent if you maintain a crisp /tʃ/ portion.
The challenges lie in the /p/ followed by the /tʃ/ cluster, which requires a precise tongue position to avoid merging into /pt/ or /pʃ/. The /ər/ sequence can be compressed or reduced, especially in rapid speech, causing a weak middle vowel. Finally, the final /z/ must be voiced and unvoiced correctly in rapid speech to avoid sounding like /s/ or /ɹ/. By focusing on a crisp /p/ release, a clear /tʃ/ blend, and a stable /ər/ before the final /z/, you’ll reduce slurring and improve perceptual clarity.
Apertures has no silent letters; stress is on the first syllable: AP-er-tures. The sequence /tʃ/ is a single affricate that behaves like a single consonant rather than a double transition, which can surprise speakers who emphasize a separate /t/ and /ʃ/. The *-tures* ending often causes listeners to hear it as /tərz/ or /tərəs/ if the vowel is weakened. Focus on maintaining a distinct /t͡ʃ/ and a voiced final /z/ to preserve the intended pronunciation.
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