4 syllables: Per, is, tal, tic. Stress on tal.
puh-ris-TAWL-tik
/pəˌɹɪˈstɔltɪk/
Peristaltic is pronounced puh-ris-TAWL-tik (/pəˌɹɪˈstɔltɪk/). It has four syllables (Per-is-tal-tic), with the stress on "tal". Peristaltic is an adjective describing the muscular waves that propel contents through a hollow organ (like the intestines) by sequential contraction and relaxation. It is used mainly in biology and medicine to explain how movement occurs within tubular organs, often in reference to rhythmic, wave-like action. The term conveys a mechanical, physiological process rather than a behavior or characteristic of a person.
adjectivePeristaltic is an adjective describing the muscular waves that propel contents through a hollow organ (like the intestines) by sequential contraction and relaxation. It is used mainly in biology and medicine to explain how movement occurs within tubular organs, often in reference to rhythmic, wave-like action. The term conveys a mechanical, physiological process rather than a behavior or characteristic of a person.
"The researcher studied peristaltic contractions in the small intestine."
"A peristaltic pump uses circular muscles to push fluids along a tube."
"During the procedure, different segments displayed peristaltic movement."
You say peris-TAL-tik with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US ˌpɛrɪˈstɔːltɪk. Break it into four syllables: pe-ris-tal-tic, with the main emphasis on the 'stalt' portion. Start with 'peh' as in 'pet', then 'ri' as in 'rih', 'stalt' like 'stalt' in 'halt', and end with 'ik' like 'ick'. Imagine saying ‘perih-STAL-tik’ for clarity. Pronunciation guides emphasize the 'stol' vowel quality as long in many dialects.
Two frequent errors are misplacing the stress and shortening the middle syllable. People often say PER-i-stal-tik or per-is-TAL-tic with incorrect emphasis or a reduced second syllable. To fix: keep the primary stress on the second syllable (ˌpɛrɪˈstɔːl-) and articulate the full /stɔːl/ rather than a lighter /stɔl/ or /stōl/. Practice by saying ‘pe-ri-STAL-tic’ with the middle syllable clearly voiced and the final /ɪk/ softly enunciated.
In US, UK, and AU, the main difference is vowel length and rhoticity. US and AU typically maintain a rhotic pronunciation with a clear /r/ in 'per-' and longer /ɔː/ in 'stalt', while UK often softens the /r/ (non-rhotic) and uses a slightly shorter /ɔː/ with broader vowel quality. The final -tic is /tɪk/ in all. Overall, you’ll hear US/AU vowels more rounded and pronounced; UK tends toward a subtle vowel shift and less rhoticity in casual speech.
The difficulty lies in the four-syllable structure with a strong secondary stress pattern and a long central vowel in the /stɔːl/ chunk. The sequence /ˈstɔːl/ requires a sustained mid-back vowel followed by a crisp /l/ and an unstressed yet clearly enunciated final /ɪk/. Some speakers compress the middle syllable or misplace the stress, making the word sound like peris-TAWL-tik or perist-AL-tik. Practicing with minimal pairs helps stabilize the /stɔːl/ cluster and the final /-tɪk/.
Note the two-syllable lilt where the 'stalt' holds the weight of the word. The central vowel in 'stalt' is a long /ɔː/ in many dialects; ensure it’s not reduced to /ɒ/ or /a/. Also maintain a precise /t/ followed by /ɪk/ without coalescing into a lazy /tɪk/ or /tɪk/. Focus on keeping the mouth ready for //t/ and then releasing into a crisp /ɪk/ at the end.
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Peristaltic comes from the Greek peri- ‘around’ and staltikos ‘constricting’ from histanai ‘to cause to stand’ or ‘to place’. The form is built on peris- ‘around’ plus -stalsis, from stallein ‘to contract, draw tight’ (as in stalsis: a tight, muscular movement). The combining form -staltic is seen in “peristalsis,” the noun for the wave-like muscle contractions that move contents through hollow organs. The earliest uses appear in anatomy and physiology texts of the 19th century as scientists described digestive and circulatory mechanics. Over time, peristaltic has broadened to describe any wave-like muscular action in tubular structures, including artificial pumps that simulate this natural motion. The sense has remained tightly tied to rhythmic, sequential contractions producing propulsion. First known uses in English date to the mid-1800s in medical literature, with the term appearing in Latinized form in anatomical atlases and physiology treatises. The word’s root elements (peri-, staltic) emphasize surrounding action and muscular constriction, underscoring the physiological nature of the process rather than a passive occurrence. In modern chemistry and engineering contexts, “peristaltic” also informs the design of pumps and other devices intended to mimic biological propulsion.
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Words that rhyme with "Peristaltic"
-tic sounds
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