3 syllables: Le, vi, rate. Stress on Le.
LEV-ir-ayt
/ˈlɛvɪˌreɪt/
Levirate is pronounced LEV-ir-ayt (/ˈlɛvɪˌreɪt/). It has three syllables (Le-vi-rate), with the stress on "Le". Levirate is a noun referring to a custom in some cultures where a man marries his deceased brother’s widow, typically to produce offspring for the family line. It is largely of anthropological and historical interest and is discussed in scholarly contexts. The term is used chiefly in academic writing on marriage customs and kinship systems.
nounLevirate is a noun referring to a custom in some cultures where a man marries his deceased brother’s widow, typically to produce offspring for the family line. It is largely of anthropological and historical interest and is discussed in scholarly contexts. The term is used chiefly in academic writing on marriage customs and kinship systems.
"Anthropologists discussed levirate as a means of preserving lineage in ancient societies."
"Some legal historians examine levirate within the context of dynastic succession and property rights."
"In certain cultures, levirate is still practiced, though contemporary laws may regulate or limit it."
Pronunciation is LEA-vi-rate, with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈliː.və.reɪt/ in US/UK. Break it into three syllables: LEA-vi-rate. The middle syllable is a reduced schwa, and the final is a clear /eɪt/ diphthong. Audio reference: you can compare with standard dictionaries for the exact sound and rhythm.
Common errors include stressing the second syllable (li-VER-ate) and mispronouncing the final as /rət/ instead of /reɪt/. Another frequent error is merging the middle syllable into the first, producing LEEV-rate instead of LI-və-rate. Correct by emphasizing the first syllable and keeping a clear /ə/ in the second, then the long /eɪ/ in the final syllable.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈliː.və.reɪt/ with a rhotic /r/ and a clear schwa before the final /reɪt/. UK English typically /ˈliː.və.reɪt/ with non-rhotic or weaker rhotic coloring; Australian sounds are similar but may feature slightly broader vowel qualities in the first and final syllables. Overall, the rhythm remains trochaic, but vowel quality and rhotacism vary subtly by region.
Two main challenges: the unstressed middle syllable /ə/ can blur in rapid speech, and the final /eɪt/ diphthong can reduce to a schwa in fast talk. Additionally, non-native speakers often misplace stress, saying li-vi-rate or le-vi-rate. Focus on maintaining stress on the first syllable and keeping a crisp /ə/ before the /reɪt/ for natural-sounding pronunciation.
Levirate uniquely emphasizes a two-consonant transition from L to V and a distinct final /reɪt/. Pay attention to the /l/ to /v/ glide—avoid a heavy /l/ into /v/ cluster that can sound slurred. The final /reɪt/ should be clear and open, not shortened to /ət/. Practice by segmenting into three clean parts: /liː/ /və/ /reɪt/ and then blend.
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Levirate derives from the Latin leviratus, from levir (brother-in-law), itself from levir, which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *leu- meaning ‘to loosen’ or ‘to release’ in genealogical terms. The term entered English through Latin writings on kinship and Roman law, with early appearances in 16th–18th century anthropological texts describing customary marriage rules. The word is constructed from levir- (brother-in-law) + -ate, a nominal suffix indicating a condition or practice. Historically, levirate captured a family-centered approach to inheritance and alliance, later becoming a focal point in ethnographic and legal discussions about posthumous marriage obligations. The concept appears in many languages with cognate terms (e.g., French levirat, Spanish levirato), reflecting a cross-cultural pattern of ensuring lineage and economic continuity when a husband dies without surviving sons. Today, it is primarily encountered in studies of kinship structures rather than everyday discourse, though it still appears in comparative law and anthropology literature.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Levirate" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Levirate"
-ate sounds
-te? sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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