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How to Pronounce Dilator

Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling

Dilator Pronunciation

DY-lay-tor

Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables

Syllable Breakdown

DY

stress here

lay
tor

3 syllables

What is Dilator?

A surgical instrument used to gradually widen or expand a natural body opening or passage — such as the cervix, urethra, or esophagus — to allow access for examination or treatment.

Questions About Dilator

How do you say the word 'dilator'?

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Say it like this: DY-lay-tor. The first part sounds like the word 'dye,' the middle part rhymes with 'day,' and the last part sounds like 'tor' (as in 'tore'). Put the stress on the first syllable: DY-lay-tor, not dy-LAY-tor.

What are the syllables in 'dilator'?

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The word breaks into three syllables: di-la-tor. If you tap out the word slowly, you'll say three separate sounds.

What's the most common way people mispronounce 'dilator'?

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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say dy-LAY-tor instead of DY-lay-tor. Remember: the stress goes on the FIRST syllable, just like in the word 'dinosaur.'

Where does the word 'dilator' come from?

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The word comes from Latin. 'Dilate' means to open or widen, and '-or' is a suffix that means 'something that does an action.' So a dilator is literally 'something that dilates or widens.'

What does 'dilator' mean in plain English?

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A dilator is a tool that stretches or widens an opening in the body. Think of it like a device designed to make a narrow passage wider so doctors can see inside or work in that area.

What are some related words that share the same root as 'dilator'?

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Words like 'dilate,' 'dilation,' and 'dilated' all share the same Latin root. They all relate to the idea of opening up or making something wider.

Can you use 'dilator' in a sentence?

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Sure! Here's an example: 'The doctor explained that a dilator would be used during the procedure to gently widen the passage.'