How Do You Spell PACIFIER?

Pronunciation: [pˈasɪfˌa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "pacifier" may seem a bit tricky, but it follows the regular phonetic patterns of the English language. The word is spelled with two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as [ˈpæs], with the "a" pronounced as the short "a" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as [ˌfaɪər], with the "i" pronounced as the long "i" sound and the "e" pronounced as the schwa sound. So, altogether, the word is pronounced as [ˈpæsɪfaɪər].

PACIFIER Meaning and Definition

1. A pacifier, also commonly known as a dummy or soother, is a small, nipple-shaped object made of rubber, silicone, or plastic that is designed for infants to suck or chew on. It is specifically intended to provide comfort, calmness, and ease to babies by satisfying their instinctual need to suck.

   Typically, a pacifier consists of a durable mouth shield that shields the infant from the nipple, which helps prevent it from being swallowed or choked on. The nipple itself is soft and pliable, resembling a mother's breast, and is equipped with one or more holes to allow proper airflow. Furthermore, the base of the pacifier usually has a ring or handle that makes it easy to handle and retrieve when it falls out of the baby's mouth.

   The purpose of a pacifier extends beyond soothing an infant; it can also help in the development of their oral muscles, including the jaw and tongue. It has been observed that the rhythmic sucking motion that occurs during pacifier usage helps babies to relax, sleep, and self-soothe. Additionally, pacifiers can be used to satisfy a baby's natural instinct for oral stimulation by preventing thumb or finger sucking, which can have adverse effects on dental and oral health if prolonged.

   It is important to note that the use of pacifiers should be monitored carefully, and their usage should be discontinued when the child reaches a certain age to prevent dependence or potential developmental concerns.

2. One who pacifies or quiets.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PACIFIER *

• pacifer 82.5%
• pacificer 5%
• picifier 5%
• pacafier 5%
• passifier 2.5%

* 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 PACIFIER

• pacifica
• pasifier
• pacifers
• pacifice
• pasifiers
• pacifiy
• pacifi
• pacifing
• pacififc
• pasified
• pacifie
• lucifier
• pacifire
• pacifici
• pacifiez
• Pacifiko
• BACIFiE
• pascifer
• pascifir
• Bacilier
• Basifaire
• pasifen
• bacfier
• Paxilier
• Kacimier
• Macifie
• pachtier

Etymology of PACIFIER

The word "pacifier" originated from the Latin term "pacificare", which is a combination of "pax" meaning "peace" and "facere" meaning "to make". In English, the term "pacifier" emerged in the early 19th century and originally referred to a person or thing that brings or restores peace. It later evolved to specifically denote a comfort object for infants and young children, such as a dummy or binky. The word signifies the calming effect the pacifier has on babies, helping to soothe and bring them peace.

Plural form of PACIFIER is PACIFIERS