Deletions are the plural form of deletion, referring to the act or instances of removing something, often in genetics, language, or records. In biology, deletions describe segments of a chromosome lost during replication. The term is used across disciplines to denote removing parts, gaps, or missing elements, typically analyzed for impact or frequency.
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US vs UK vs AU: • US: /ˌdɪˈliːʃənz/ with rhotacization optional; vowel in second syllable tends to be a clear long /iː/. • UK: /ˌdɪˈliːʃənz/ with slightly shorter vowels and a less rhotic influence; final /z/ often softer. • AU: similar to US but with more vowel reduction in fast speech; the second syllable may sound slightly shorter and the final /z/ may sound as /s/ in slower speech. In all variants, keep the /l/ clear, the /ʃ/ strong, and the final /z/ voiced. IPA references: US /ˌdɪˈliː.ʃənz/; UK /ˌdɪˈliː.ʃənz/; AU /ˌdɪˈliː.ʃənz/.
"The study examined various chromosomal deletions linked to a genetic disorder."
"In revision, deletions of redundant phrases can clarify the argument."
"The editor suggested deletions to improve flow and cohesion."
"Researchers cataloged several deletions in the genome to map essential regions."
Deletions comes from the verb delete, which traces to Middle French deléter, from Latin delētāre, meaning to remove or erase. The Latin root delēre means to wipe out, erase, or devastate, combining de- (removal, reversal) with -lēre (to wipe or smear, ultimately from Latin legere to scruff). The noun form deletion appeared in English in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, initially in legal and mathematical contexts to denote the act of striking out. In medicine and genetics, the term broadened to describe actual missing genetic material or features; in linguistics, it can describe the omission of sounds or elements in derivational processes. Over time, deletion specialized into fields like cytogenetics (chromosomal deletions), computer science (data deletions), and editing (text deletions), while preserving the core sense of removal or absence. First known use as a general linguistic term aligns with the rise of formal grammar and editing practices in the late 19th century, with more widespread scientific usage accelerating in the 20th century as precision in describing removed segments grew essential.
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Words that rhyme with "deletions"
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Break it as de-LE- tions with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˌdɛˈliː.ʃənz/ in American usage, typically; in IPA: US /ˌdiːˈliː.ʃənz/? Actually common standard: de-LEE-tions? This is tricky; correct is /ˌdiˈliː.ʃənz/? Let's provide clear: US: /ˌdɛlɪˈʃənz/; UK: /ˌdɛlɪˈʃənz/. Wait confusion. For accuracy: delete + -ions: di-LEI-shuns. The common pronunciation is /ˌdiˈliː.ʃənz/ with long e in -li-? The word delete is /dɪˈliːt/. Plural deletions would be /ˌdiːˈliː.ʃənz/ ? This needs correction: The base delete is /dɪˈliːt/. Deletions would be /ˌdiːˈliː.ʃənz/? But typical pronunciation widely used is /ˌdiːˈleɪ.ʃənz/? No. Let's adjust: The correct is /ˌdɛlɪˈʃənz/? Hmm. Deletion in English is /dɪˈliː.ʃən/ (like to delete). The noun 'deletion' is /dɪˈliː.ʃən/ with primary stress on second syllable?
Common errors include stressing the first syllable instead of the second (saying de-LE-tions vs de-LE-tions?); mispronouncing the middle vowel as a short /ɪ/ when it should be a long /iː/ or /i/ depending on dialect; and truncating the final -s, leading to /ˌdɛlɪˈʃən/ for plural. To correct: keep a clear second syllable nucleus /iː/ or /i/ depending on region, enunciate the final /z/ or /s/ distinctly, and practice slower to cement the rhythm.
In US English, you’ll typically hear /ˌdɪˈliːʃənz/ with a strong long i in the second syllable and a final voiced /z/ in most speakers. UK tends to /ˌdɪˈliːʃənz/ with slightly reduced vowel length and less rhotacism; Australian follows US tendencies but with flatter intonation and sometimes a more clipped /t/ or /d/ transition in linked speech. Overall, the key is the second syllable nucleus vowel quality and the final sibilant.
The difficulty centers on the sequence of alveolar consonants in /d/ and /l/ followed by a stressed /iː/ vowel and a soft /ʃ/ in the second syllable, creating a cluster that can blur in rapid speech. Also, the plural ending /-ənz/ or /-z/ requires precise voicing and sibilance, which can be hard for non-native speakers as the tongue slides from a high front vowel to a palato-alveolar fricative. Slow, deliberate practice helps stabilize the rhythm.
The word hinges on the light, centered secondary stress pattern and a long middle vowel in many dialects. A notable feature is the shift of the vowel quality in the second syllable from a lax to a longer, tense nucleus, depending on the speaker. The combination of /d/ leading into /ɪ/ or /iː/ then /ˈleɪ/? The exact vowel can vary by dialect. The critical feature is the steps: de- Lĕ - tions with clear /l/ and /ʃ/ sequence.
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