Donate SIGN UP

spelling

Avatar Image
ContraryMary | 16:23 Mon 08th Jan 2007 | Arts & Literature
8 Answers
Can anyone tell me the correct pronunciation of the word 'heinous'? My two dictionaries give me two different ways of saying it (heenus and haynus).
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 8 of 8rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by ContraryMary. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Probably an optional thing but I'm sure I hear heenus more than haynus (in the UK anyway).
As with veins and 'Veinous', both pronounciations are heard and acceptable.
Yes, I'm with 'heenus'.
It would be interesting to know which two dictionaries you've referred to. The OED is generally regarded as the bible of English spelling and pronunciation. Its editors seem to be happy with the 'long a' sound (i.e. 'haynus').

Perhaps you've consulted an American dictionary, such as Webster's? If so, you might as well have looked at a dictionary of French, German or Serbo-Croat. I don't know what language they speak on the other side of the Atlantic, but it certainly isn't English!

Chris
HAY-nis
You could probably use Hay-nuhs, as the word stems from a Middle English alteration of the Old French �haineus�, from haine meaning hatred.
My copy of the Oxford English Dictionary gives both versions as being correct but, personally, I prefer haynus.
Think its probably a 'you say potato (pot-ay-toe), i say potato (pot-ah-toe)' situation, I usually use haynus.

1 to 8 of 8rss feed

Do you know the answer?

spelling

Answer Question >>