How Do You Spell DESDEMONA?

Pronunciation: [dɪsdɪmˈə͡ʊnə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Desdemona" is quite unique and can be broken down with IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "Des" is pronounced /dɛs/ which rhymes with the word "less". The second syllable "de" is pronounced /deɪ/ like the word "day". The final syllable "mona" is pronounced /moʊnə/ with a brief "oh" sound and a final "uh" sound like the word "lona". Altogether, the word is pronounced /dɛsˈdeɪmoʊnə/ and is the name of a character in Shakespeare's play, Othello.

DESDEMONA Meaning and Definition

1. Desdemona is a proper noun that primarily refers to a fictional character in William Shakespeare's play "Othello." She is a central female character who plays a significant role in the tragedy. Desdemona's name is likely derived from the Greek word "desmos," meaning "bond" or "fastening."

   In the context of the play, Desdemona is depicted as a noblewoman of Venetian origin, the daughter of a senator named Brabantio. She is seen as a virtuous, loyal, and innocent woman, deeply in love with and married to the Moorish general Othello, despite social and racial differences. Desdemona's beauty, grace, and charm are praised by various characters throughout the play.

   Desdemona's character serves as a catalyst for the conflicts and jealousy that unfold. Her faithfulness and innocence become weapons used against her, as she is wrongfully accused by Othello due to the manipulations of the villainous Iago. Desdemona's unwavering love and loyalty are tested as she becomes the target of Othello's destructive jealousy, ultimately leading to her tragic demise.

   Beyond the context of Shakespeare's play, "Desdemona" may also be used more broadly to refer to a woman who embodies innocence, purity, and fidelity. Additionally, the name might evoke images of beauty, grace, and vulnerability.

Top Common Misspellings for DESDEMONA *

• desdamona 46.6666666%
• desdmona 13.3333333%
• desdemonas 13.3333333%
• desemona 13.3333333%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DESDEMONA

• desdimona
• dessdemona
• desdimonia
• desdemona
• desdmeona
• Desdemo.a
• Desdemyona
• Descimona
• Desdemenona

Etymology of DESDEMONA

The name "Desdemona" is derived from the ancient Greek words "desmos" meaning "bond" and "démos" meaning "people". It was first used by the Italian writer Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio in his novella "Hecatommithi" published in 1565. Cinthio used the name Desdemona to refer to the wife of the character Othello, a Moorish general, in his tragic story. The character and name gained even greater prominence after being adapted by William Shakespeare in his play "Othello" in 1603. The name Desdemona has since become synonymous with innocence, purity, and tragic love.