4 syllables: Vi, vi, sec, tion. Stress on sec.
viv-is-EK-shuhn
/ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkʃən/
Vivisection is pronounced viv-is-EK-shuhn (/ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkʃən/). It has four syllables (Vi-vi-sec-tion), with the stress on "sec". Vivisection is the practice of performing surgical procedures on living animals for experimental research. The term typically appears in academic, ethical, and scientific discussions about experimentation and medical testing. It denotes invasive procedures conducted on animals that are alive, offering insight into biological processes and drug effects, though it raises ethical considerations and controversy.
nounVivisection is the practice of performing surgical procedures on living animals for experimental research. The term typically appears in academic, ethical, and scientific discussions about experimentation and medical testing. It denotes invasive procedures conducted on animals that are alive, offering insight into biological processes and drug effects, though it raises ethical considerations and controversy.
"Researchers conducted a vivisection under strict veterinary supervision to study organ function."
"The debate over vivisection has shaped animal welfare policies and alternative testing methods."
"Historical texts describe vivisection as a common method in early physiology labs."
Vivisection is pronounced /ˌvaɪ.vɪˈsek.ʃən/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the third syllable 'sek.' Start with the 'vi-' as in vivid, then 'vi' as in vessel, and end with 'section' pronounced 'sek-shun' but as a single unit with the stress on 'sek'. You’ll want to keep the 'v' soft, the 'i' as a short vowel in the middle syllable, and the 'tion' as /ʃən/. Audio resources like Pronounce or YouGlish will provide native examples to hear the cadence.
Common errors include misplacing the stress, pronouncing the second 'vi' as a long 'vee' rather than a short 'i' sound, and softening the /t/ into a flap. To correct: keep the primary stress on the third syllable: vi-vi-SEC-tion (/ˌvaɪ.vɪˈsek.ʃən/). Ensure the /s/ is clear and the /ʃ/ in 'tion' is preserved. Practice the sequence slowly: /ˌvaɪ.vɪˈsɛk.ʃən/ (US) or /ˌvaɪ.vɪˈsek.ʃən/ (UK). Use minimal pairs and go slow at first, then accelerate as you maintain accuracy.
Across US/UK/AU, the core IPA is similar: /ˌvaɪ.vɪˈsek.ʃən/. The main differences lie in vowel quality and rhoticity. US tends to have a rhotic 'r' only in adjacent syllables, UK non-rhotic; for vivisection, the /r/ isn’t prominent. Vowel length and articulation differ: US often uses a slightly more centralized /ɪ/ in the second syllable; UK tends to a purer /ɪ/. AU can temper vowels toward a flatter, more emasculated vowel, with subtle /ə/ reductions in connected speech. Listen to native speakers for subtle shifts.
It’s tricky because the word stacks three distinct clusters: a front diphthong /vaɪ/ in the first syllable, a lax short /ɪ/ in the second, and a consonant cluster /sek.ʃən/ at the end. The 'vi' in the middle can blur, and the 'tion' produces /ʃən/, which is easy to mispronounce as /tʃən/ or /ʃən/ with a weak /t/. Focus on maintaining the stress on the third syllable and crisp /s/ and /ʃ/ sounds. Slow, deliberate practice helps solidify the rhythm.
A unique aspect is the sequence of three syllables before the final -tion: vi-vi-sec-tion. The middle 'vi' is shorter and lighter than the first, creating a subtle i-v-i rhythm that drives the word forward. Ensure the transition from the 'sek' to the 'ʃən' is smooth, with the /t/ not releasing too forcefully; instead, allow it to blend into the /ʃ/. Practicing linked speech in a phrase like 'the vivisection procedure' helps you master the rhythm.
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Vivisection derives from the Latin prefix vivi- meaning 'live' and the root -sect- meaning 'cut,' with the suffix -ion forming a noun. The term was coined in the 17th or 18th century, reflecting a shift in scientific inquiry toward understanding living organisms through direct intervention. Early usage appeared in medical and natural philosophy contexts as scholars sought to describe procedures that involved cutting into living animals for observation, often in contrast to dissections on cadavers. The combination vivus (Latin for alive) and sectio (Latin for cutting) communicates the core idea of performing surgical actions on functioning life. Over time, the word entrenched itself in scientific literature and ethics debates, sometimes expanding to cover any invasive procedure on a living animal for experimental purposes. While the core meaning focuses on
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Vivisection" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Vivisection" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Vivisection"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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