The spelling of "more harshsounding" may seem confusing, but it is actually quite straightforward when broken down phonetically. The word "harsh" pronounced /hɑːʃ/ ends with the voiceless fricative /ʃ/ sound. When we add the suffix "-sounding," the /s/ sound is added after the /ʃ/ sound, resulting in the spelling "harshsounding." The addition of the prefix "more" simply means that the sound being described is even more harsh than before. So, the spelling of "more harshsounding" reflects the pronunciation of its component sounds.
"More harsh-sounding" refers to something that produces sounds that are perceived as rough, discordant, or severe in nature, surpassing the level of harshness usually associated with similar objects or phenomena. The term "harsh-sounding" emphasizes the character of the sound being unpleasant, grating, or lacking in smoothness.
When an object or concept is described as "more harsh-sounding," it implies that the sounds it emits are more intense or strident compared to similar entities. For example, if comparing two musical instruments, one may be considered "more harsh-sounding" if its tones are more piercing or dissonant when played. Similarly, when two accents are compared, one can be deemed "more harsh-sounding" if its phonetics are sharper and less melodic in nature.
The degree of harshness encompasses various factors, including the pitch, volume, and sharpness of the sound produced. These elements collectively contribute to the overall perception of the sound as abrasive or jarring. Depending on the context, "more harsh-sounding" can be seen as a subjective evaluation, as individuals may have different sensitivities and preferences when it comes to sound qualities.
Overall, the term "more harsh-sounding" describes sounds that evoke a sense of discomfort, dissonance, or displeasure due to their intensified or exaggerated quality when compared to other similar sounds.
The word "more harshsounding" does not have a specific etymology as it is a composition of two English words: "more" and "harshsounding". However, we can analyze the etymology of each individual word:
1. "More": The word "more" is derived from the Old English word "māra", which means "greater" or "additional". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "maizô", indicating "more" or "greater".
2. "Harshsounding": The word "harshsounding" is a combination of two words: "harsh" and "sounding".
- "Harsh": The word "harsh" comes from the Old English word "heorsc", meaning "rough" or "grating". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "harskaz".