3 syllables: Cor, pus, cles. Stress on Cor.
KAWR-puh-suhlz
/ˈkɔɹpəsəlz/
Corpuscles is pronounced KAWR-puh-suhlz (/ˈkɔɹpəsəlz/). It has three syllables (Cor-pus-cles), with the stress on "Cor". Corpuscles is the plural of corpuscle, referring to small, discrete particles or cells in a tissue or fluid. In biology, it denotes microscopic particles such as red or white blood cells or similar microscopic inclusions. The term is primarily used in scientific or medical contexts and often appears in discussions of cell structure or physiology.
nounCorpuscles is the plural of corpuscle, referring to small, discrete particles or cells in a tissue or fluid. In biology, it denotes microscopic particles such as red or white blood cells or similar microscopic inclusions. The term is primarily used in scientific or medical contexts and often appears in discussions of cell structure or physiology.
"The motion of corpuscles within the capillaries can indicate the efficiency of microcirculation."
"Researchers isolated corpuscles from the sample to study their membrane properties."
"Historically, the term corpuscles was used to describe early microscopic cell components before modern terminology."
Pronounce as /ˈkɔːr.jəˌskelz/. Stress falls on the first syllable: COR-jə-skelz, with a light, quick middle syllable. The second syllable is a schwa or a reduced vowel, and the final -cles rhymes with ‘cells.’ Ensure the /k/ is released clearly, the /ɔː/ is long, and the /z/ at the end is voiced. Audio guidance: listen to medical diction clips for ‘corpuscles’ in context to hear the rhythm.
Common errors include compressing the three-syllable structure into two (e.g., ‘COR-scles’), misplacing the stress, or mispronouncing the middle vowel as a full vowel rather than a reduced schwa. To correct: keep the /ɔː/ in the first syllable and release the /r/ before the /jə/ sequence. Start with COR- as in ‘corgi,’ then add -u-scles with a light /jə/ and a clear final /skelz/. Record yourself and compare to audio models.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈkɔɚ.jəˌskelz/ with rhotic r and a clear /ˈɔɚ/ diphthong. UK English tends toward /ˈkɔː.jəˌskelz/ with a longer /ɔː/ and non-rhotic R. Australian adds a broader, slightly higher fronted vowel in the /ɔː/ and can feature more vowel reduction in the second syllable, sounding like /ˈkɔː.jəˌskɛlz/ in some recordings. In all variants, the final -cles remains /skəlz/ or /skelz/ depending on the speaker’s connected speech.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic structure with a three-part sequence: COR- /ˈkɔːr/, -pus- /jə/, -cles /skelz/. The middle syllable often reduces to a schwa, which can blur with adjacent sounds in fast speech. The final consonant cluster /sk/ plus a voiced /lz/ requires precise tongue control. Mastery comes from practicing the sequence slowly, then increasing speed while preserving the vowel quality and final consonant clarity.
A unique point is the loudness and clarity of the initial /k/ and the rhotic or non-rhotic /r/ influence. In rhotic varieties, you’ll maintain a clear /r/ before the schwa; in non-rhotic accents, the /r/ is either not pronounced or only influences the preceding vowel. Additionally, ensure there is a distinct /j/ glide between the first two syllables rather than a simple /ɔr/ blend, preserving the /j/ to separate the 'cor' and 'pus' elements.
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Corpuscles derives from Latin corpus, meaning ‘body’ or ‘mass,’ with the diminutive suffix -culus, yielding corpusculum ‘a small body’ or ‘little body.’ The term entered English medical vocabulary in the 17th century, aligning with anatomical naming trends that favored Latin roots for scientific precision. Historically, corpuscle referred to small particles within fluids or tissues; in older physiology, it described minute cellular fragments or vesicles observed under microscopes. As microscopy advanced and cellular biology matured, the general use narrowed, though the word persists in literature and some teaching contexts to describe tiny particles or cells within a specimen. The plural form corpuscles follows standard English pluralization with -es after a word ending in -e or -s sounds, maintaining consistency with other Latin-derived plurals. First known uses appear in early modern anatomical texts where the microscope revealed fine granular components within sap, blood, or lymph, leading to broader adoption in pharmacology and histology before modern immunology and cell biology refined the terminology.
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Words that rhyme with "Corpuscles"
-les sounds
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