The word "sneeze" is spelled with a combination of consonants and vowels that makes it unique. The IPA phonetic transcription for "sneeze" is /sniz/, which represents the sounds of each individual letter. The "s" represents a voiceless alveolar fricative followed by a voiced alveolar nasal represented by "n". Finally, the "ee" sound is represented by the vowel "i" and the "z" represents a voiced alveolar fricative. Overall, the spelling of "sneeze" accurately reflects the pronunciation of the word.
Sneeze is defined as a sudden and involuntary expulsion of air through the nose and mouth, typically caused by irritation or the presence of foreign particles in the nasal passages. It is a natural reflex that occurs as a protective mechanism to clear the respiratory system.
During a sneeze, the muscles involved in the breathing process contract forcefully, causing a rapid release of air from the lungs. The air is expelled at a high speed and exits the body explosively, often accompanied by a distinctive sound. This reflex action helps to expel irritants, such as dust, allergens, or infection-causing agents, from the nasal passages and respiratory system.
Sneezing is triggered by various factors, including allergic reactions, exposure to pollutants, common cold or flu viruses, sudden changes in temperature, or strong odors. It can also be induced by looking at bright lights, a phenomenon known as photic sneeze reflex, which affects some individuals.
Sneezing is generally not harmful or a cause for concern, although excessive and persistent sneezing may indicate an underlying medical condition that requires attention. It is important to practice good hygiene measures, such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when sneezing, to prevent the spread of infectious droplets to others.
In summary, sneezing is an involuntary and forceful expulsion of air through the nose and mouth due to nasal irritation or the presence of foreign particles. It helps to clear the respiratory system and is often a protective response to eliminate potential irritants or pathogens.
1. To expel air from the nose and mouth by an involuntary spasmodic contraction of the muscles of expiration. 2. An act of sneezing, a reflex excited by an irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• The act of sneezing.
• To send forth a sudden and violent rush of air, chiefly through the nose, by a convulsive effort, caused by the irritation of the inner membrane of the nose.
• The act of throwing out from the nose and mouth, by a convulsive effort, a violent and sudden rush of air.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word sneeze originated from the Middle English term snesen or fnesen, which was derived from the Old English word fneosan. This Old English word ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word *fneusan. The etymology suggests that sneeze has Germanic roots shared with related words in other Germanic languages such as German niesen and Dutch niesen.