Part 1 of the article listed V-C patterns in 7- and 8-letter words.  Part 2 repeats the exercise for 9-letter words and then analyses the 7-, 8-, and 9-letter V-C patterns

Thorpe, Susan

In Vowel-Consonant Patterns (Word Ways 77221), Philip Cohen presented a list of words based on 125 of the possible 128 (2^7) 7-letter vowel-consonant (V-C) patterns.  Somewhat belatedly, this has inspired me to undertake similar exercises for 8-letter words and 9-letter words.  As Cohen\u27s article appeared more than 25 years ago, before most of us were acquainted with Word Ways, I have also taken the liberty of repeating his 7-letter exercise, using different words wherever appropriate.  Part 1 considers 7- and 8-letter words; Part 2 considers 9-letter words, and also analyses the patterns with regard to the number of words they form

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249 VOWEL-CONSONANT PATTERNS (PART 1) SUSAN THORPE Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, England thorpeds@hotmail.com In Vowel-Consonant Pal/erns (Word Ways 77221), Philip Cohen presented a list of words based on 125 of the possible 128 (27) 7-letter vowel-consonant (V -C) patterns. Somewhat belatedly, this has inspired me to undertake similar exercises for 8-letter words and 9-letter words. As Cohen ' s article appeared more than 25 years ago, before most of us were aquainted with Word Ways, I have also taken the liberty of repeating his 7-letter exercise, using different words wherever appropriate. Part I considers 7- and 8-letter words; Part 2 considers 9-letter words, and also analyses the patterns with regard to the number of words they form. WORD SOURCES Webster ' s Second and Third Editions are the preferred sources for the words in most of the articles and Colloquy items li sted in History below, although other sources are usually allowed where no Websterian word is found. By way of contrast, the preferred source for my words is the Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition - head words, variant forms or text words including citations - and words derived from therein. These OED words are unreferenced. Where no OED word is found , I admit other sources. In a few cases I use a word from, or reference to, one of the History items I to 8 below, in which case a superscript number indicates the item concerned. References for non-OED words: aae = California University Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 16.234; bae = The Bulletin of the Amateur Entomological Society 37.320, 1978; bt = Bloomsbury Thesaurus, 1993; cad = Cooper's Archaic Dictionary, 1876; ch = Chambers English Dictionary; coli = Collins English Dictionary, 1998; dbs = The Dictionary of the Biological Sciences by Peter Gray, 1967; ebw = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World by Paul Smart, 1975; gale = Grzimak' s Animal Life Encyclopedia; gb = Bartholomew Gazetteer of Britain, 1977; gg = Genera Graminum (Grasses of the World) by W.O. Clayton and S.A. Penvoize; Hod = Handbook of American Indians edited by F.W. Hodge, 1907; 10 = Longmans Dictionary; Iv = Language on Vacation by Dmitri Borgmannn, 1965 ; nwd = The New Welsh Dictionary, 1970; nz = Nomenclator Zoologicus; ospd = Official Scrabble Players Dictionary; st = Stedman's Medical Dictionary; tf = Tertiary Faunas vol I, 1971 ; wed = Webster' s Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth Edition 1943 ; w2/w3 = Webster ' s SecondlThird Edition; WW = Word Ways Italicised refs. are locations found in The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN): Alg = Algeria; Aus = Austria; Bul = Bulgaria; Bur = Burma; Cam = Cambodia; Clli = China; COil = Republic of the Congo; Cro = Croatia; Cyp = Cyprus; Cze = Czechoslovakia; Est = Estonia; FP = French Polynesia; Fra = France; Gun = Guinea; 1110 =Indonesia; IC =Ivory Coast; Ita = Italy; Mal = Mali ; Mall = Mauritania; Mor = Morocco; Moz = Mozambique; Net = Nether- lands; PN =Papua New Guinea; PM = Philippines; Pol = Poland; Rom = Romania; Rus = Russia; Sell = Senegal; SA = South Africa; Syr = Syria; Tog = Togo; Tun = Tunisia; Ukr = Ukraine 2 0 R II re is a brief rc ume of pcrtlllcnt Item \\ 11Ieh ha\ c arpe~r evern l of them onccntrnle n • patlcrn \\hl h h.HC ~n C hronol gi 01 ( rder. the It 111 ' arc I . 81 8.'1"\ '(' /1 · / (,(fer Word\ III \\ 11Ieh [ Illiln n r m~nn It -I of s r s. 'iPC "iea ll) lhn c \\ IIh 11 III rc th n . , • 4. 2 s (.8 pnllerns respect 1\ el~ c rdlll I \ ere taken. \\ Ithout redl! , fr m 311 article 11\ • i 'sue r rhe hI igm. \ 6911 /'011"/ L(II/~/((l~ 'b) I emple I P rler I W7021 J .'\11: 1'(/11'(,/1, Two J( rlr, ( IIr r III \\ 111 h ha ing sand 2 ., (28 pa\lern 74140/ '011' '/ (('Ira/otrall/I b 1.Jf . 1/ r n I III 1 More in II qu 7421J and 75021 . 5. 772.1 1'011'('/' '0/1.\ (/1/(11/1 I' Iftall' III \\hl ~h Ph'''r ea h r Ihe 12 p "'Ible • pattern lie ~I II C rC'\ • 7. • 5 I 7 In nllft Ir '1'0 11 ' r " \ h\ , r c , c: • IU'J~FH I I lIu ., 11. de; 'r, I( \ 11 R all 8· leller \ 0\\ cI n h r ul h \\ rd, .000_ ear·,lI/t'rl! 11111[: I fill d ,til I e ' ' ''''' I Q· leller · - pnllerrl' \\ Ilh n Il1 fl 111.111. ~ f. lind e ul11plcs II ' I1linc\ h" 'l',1 'h I ~ c .00 I 196 Dua/ /\'/"1//\ h\ Rt ,.,,"'-• :l upled h~ • \ 0 \\ ' I 111 Ill: \\ r I I II , R ' rhc I ' Iler S I11CIIIllC n" '.1 11 11,1111 . Ill" C ., ontriblll r, I I "I: If, ' 'I I Ire lit ,I ,\ nell Ihon n I, \\C,' 'CI( I" II '.lIn1 111.1.1 II be tllI'C. 'lib (Ill' I Ii" II I , .. ,I, II 1111111 I 11 If • , I', I, I1d 1I I Cf\ 'I,el", 1 ' '''.1.1 \\cll1Il1lT" ilem, lit< \ " Ilnr 11111111, 1 If II' 'I ,h I ' II' 1\.1"1 \\ 1111 ( r nd l11its in I , Inell) \ ,Ii ' ,11.1 " " , .1,,1 lit " urr ' nl nrll ' lc I I 1\ '1 I Imll 'I "' ' Ilh I ,11.1 I" r n III '"ng , "' I", '/'(11, ,,' fI Ih" II.'h, If I • ... 1, \\ h II Ti ll., P n:n s " In si ngle' '"111 Ie " 1" n Id I f I ~',I h (llih 1.111 III "lin find phi .. ,," ,, - . I" t I , 'I III It .II~ I .111 ttl h \ inlllll ",lit I C II, 111111 ;11 , I \I' , I ,I' 1.111 til • ' I plitt ' 1111> , Ito/ic,.\ I' I P III ' II\ ~ ell',,,)! • Iht', I I "h, It I I ' " r I \\ r. . I n .... , I II k',liJ) , I pili ' I II, dt' ll \I~' Ilt t It,,, ,,, 'h , \\, " t NI ' li l> ~ - I· 1l1lII ' IIl' II1 I~' ,II ,Iltll It IU. ,1.11.1 II 1111 I It , ll. " I 'II I I ' I \" I Iw pI " I 251 VOWEL-CONSONANT PATTERNS IN 7-LETTER WORDS (128 = 27 patterns) Cohen5 found words for all 64 C patterns, and for 61 of the 64 V patterns. I present a largely different list, and fill two of the three missing V patterns leaving vCCCCCC waiting to be filled. 7-LETTER C PATTERNS CCCCCCC· LLWCHWRs CCCCCCv THRWSSE CCCCCvC CWMBRAN CCCCCw SHTCHEEs CCCCvCC SCHLOSS CCCCvCv SCHRENE CCCCvvC SCHMEER CCCCvw VNGRAUE CCCvCCC· STRINGS CCCvCCv SCRUPLE CCCvCvC PHRASES CCCvCvv SCRAPIE CCCvvCC THROUGH CCCvvCv SCROOGE CCCvvvC THREIES CCCww STRAUUE CCvCCCC KNIGHTS CCvCCCv CHUCKLE CCvCCvC RHOMBUS CCvCCvv SHAMPOO CCvCvCC· PROVERB CCvCvCv CHARADE CCvCvvC PRONOUN CCvCvvv SPIRAEA CCvvCCC THOUGHT CCvvCCv TREACLE CCvvCvC SPOONER CCvvCvv PRAIRIE CCvvvCC· SHOEING CCvvvCv SQUEEZEs CCvvvvC PLOUIER CCwvw CLAIEIE CvCCCCC DIRNDLS CvCCCCv NAPHTHA CvCCCvC· PANGRAM CvCCCvv MORPHIA CvCCvCC NETWORK CvCCvCv BUFFALO CvCCvvC WORDIER CvCCvvv POMPEII CvCvCCC DELIGHT CvCvCCv GORILLA CvCvCvC· LEXICON CvCvCvv FATIGUE CvCvvCC FOREIGN CvCvvCv BEHEADS CvCvvvC CURIOUS CvCvvw SEQUOIAs CvvCCCC WEIGHTS CvvCCCv MAESTRO CvvCCvC DOUBLET CwCCvv TOURNEE CvvCvCC MEANING CvvCvCv COINAGE CvvCvvC· LEAGUES CvvCvvv NOUVEAU CvvvCCC COOINGS CvvvCCv SEEABLE CvvvCvC LIAISON CwvCvv SUOIDEA (gale) CvvvvCC GOOIEST (coli) CvvvvCv REUEALE CvvvvvC· MIAOUED (wcd)s Cwww ZOUOUIA (Mar) 7-LETTER V PATTERNS wvvvvv· OlOUEAE2 wwwC IUAEIEN wwvCv OUAOURI (Mor) wvwCC AEAEANS(w2)s vwvCw EUAEMIAs vvvvCvC IAIOLER vvvvCCv AIOURNE vvwCCC AUOUGHS vwCvvv· OUABAIOs vvvCvvC AEON IAN vvvCvCv OUURAGE vvvCvCC AEONIST vwCCw IOUKRIE vvvCCvC IOUGLER vwCCCv IOOMBLE vwCCCC OUACHRD(Mor) wCww OUTAOUI(Mor)5 vvCvvvC AERIOUS vvCvvCv AUREOLE vvCvvCC OILIEST vvCvCvv· AUTOCUE vvCvCvC AEROBIC vvCvCCv AUDIBLE vvCvCCC AIRINGS vvCCwv EUPNOEA vvCCvvC AUCTION vvCCvCv AIRLINE vvCCvCC AUGMENT wCCCvv· AINTREE vvCCCvC EARTHED vvCCCCv AESCHNA (ch) wCCCCC EIGHTHSs vCvww ARAOU IA(Mor)5 vCvvvvC AQUEOUSs vCvwCv· EQUIAXE vCvvvCC EPEEIST vCvvCvv AQUARIA vCvvCvC EQUATOR vCvvCCv AMIABLE vCvvCCC UNEARTH vCvCvvv EVACUEE vCvCvvC EROSION vCvCvCv· ANIMATE vCvCvCC ITALICS vCvCCvv INERTIA vCvCCvC UTENSIL vCvCCCv EXAMPLE vCvCCCC AMONGST vCCww AGREEUE vCCvvvC ENVIOUS vCCvvCv OBVIATE vCCvvCC INQUEST vCCvCvv EMPORIA vCCvCvC APRICOT vCCvCCv· ENHANCE vCCvCCC EXTINCT vCCCvvv IMPROUE vCCCvvC APPLAUD vCCCvCv ATHLETE vCCCvCC OSTRICH vCCCCvv ELSTREE vCCCCvC UNSCREW vCCCCCv· ARCHDDU(place) vCCCCCC • 252 VOWEL-CONSONANT PATTERNS IN 8-LETTER WORDS (256 = 28 patterns) Words were found for 126 of the 128 C patterns, and for 123 of the 128 V patterns. 8-LETTER C PAITERNS CCCCCCCC· CWMFFRWD(nwd) CCCCCCCv SCHTSCHI CCCCCCvC THRWNTER CCCCCCw CCCCCvCC VTTRMEST CCCCCvCv HWKSTARE CCCCCvvC PWNCHEON CCCCCvvv CHHNGAEU (Cam) CCCCvCCC SCHNAPPS CCCCvCCv SCHRIMPE CCCCvCvC CHTHONIC CCCCvCvv SCHKAGUE(Hod) CCCCwCC SCHNOOKS CCCCwCv SCHRIEVE CCCCvvvC PHTHIOIC CCCCww CCCvCCCC STRENGTH CCCvCCCv· SCRABBLE CCCvCCvC CHRISTEN CCCvCCw STRUTHIO CCCvCvCC PRRASING CCCvCvCv CHLORINE CCCvCwC SPLENOID CCCvCvvv SCHIZAEA (w2) CCCwCCC· STRAIGHT CCCwCCv SCROUNGE CCCvvCvC THREATEN CCCwCw SCHOOLIE CCCvwCC SPREEING CCCvwCv SCRIVANO CCCvvvvC CHLEOUAT (Mor ) CCCvvvvv SCREAUUA CCvCCCCC TWELFTHS CCvCCCCv TRINCKLE CCvCCCvC· PROMPTED CCvCCCw TROCHLEA CCvCCvCC· CHAMBERS CCvCCvCv FRACTURE CCvCCwC FRONTIER CCvCCwv DRAMBUIE CCvCvCCC TWILIGHT CCvCvCCv CHARISMA CCvCvCvC PHONETIC CCvCvCw CRITIQUE CCvCwCC CHEQUERS CCvCwCv PTOMAINE CCvCvwC STUDIOUS CCvCvvvv BRODIAEA(w2)4 CCwCCCC THOUGHTS CCwCCCv SQUIGGLE CCwCCvC PREACHER CCwCCw· WHOOPSIE CCwCvCC THEORIST CCwCvCv BREAKAGE CCwCwC CROUPIER CCvvCvw CLOUSEAU CCvwCCC TRIEUMPH CCvwCCv CREAUNCE CCwvCvC SQUEALED CCvwCw SQUEEGEE CCvwvCC· CLEEUERS CCwwCv TRAUAILE CCvvvvvC SLEAUUOL CCvvvvvv GRIOUIOU (Mor) CvCCCCCC FISCHSCH CvCCCCCv WOSCHSSE CvCCCCvC· KICKSHAW CvCCCCw CONSTRUE CvCCCvCC· PUZZLING CvCCCvCv FILTRATE CvCCCwC MISCHIEF CvCCCvw BUDDLEIA CvCCvCCC PATTERNS CvCCvCCv MULTIPLE CvCCvCvC COMPUTER CvCCvCw FORMULAE CvCCwCC LINGUIST CvCCwCv DORMOUSE CvCCvwC GORGEOUS CvCCww DESCEIUE CvCvCCCC GALUMPHS CvCvCCCv RESEMBLE CvCvCCvC LlPOGRAM CvCvCCw DISAGREE CvCvCvCC LIMERICK CvCvCvCv· LITERATE CvCvCwC DIVISION CvCvCvw MINUTIAE CvCwCCC RESEARCH CvCvvCCv SEQUENCE CvCwCvC· ZODIACAL CvCvvCvv DETAINEE CvCvvvCC CANOEIST CvCvvvCv RADIOIZE CvCvvvvC HAREIOUS CvCvvvvv BEQUEAUE CvvCCCCC HEIGHTHS CvvCCCCv COURSCHE CvvCCCvC POUCHFUL CvvCCCvv SEAM FREE CvvCCvCC YOURSELF CvvCCvCv JAUNDICE CvvCCvvC· QUESTION CvvCCvvv COUSTEAU CvvCvCCC DIADELPH CwCvCCv QUOTABLE CvvCvCvC DIAGONAL CwCvCvv DIALOGUE CvvCvvCC HEAVIEST CvvCvvCv DIAPAUSE CvvCvvvC CAESIOUS CvvCvvvv MEULEUEE CvvvCCCC RAUASCHT CvvvCCCv NOUEMBRE CwvCCvC QUAINTER CvvvCCvv FEEOFFEE CvvvCvCC MIAOWING CwvCvCv MEIOCENE CvvvCvvC BEAUTIED CvvvCwv* BEAULIEU CvvvvCCC COUEISTS CvvvvCCv COUUERTE CvvvvCvC GUAIACIN CvvvvCvv CAUEAREE CvvvvvCC QUEUEING CvvvvvCv ZAAOUATA M r CvvvvvvC· REUIUOUR Cvvvvvvv HAOUAOUI(Mor) 2 53 8-LETTER V PATTERNS vwvvvvv· vvvvvvvC AIAOUAIS(Hod)2 vvvvvvCv OUAOUILA(Mor) vvvvvvCC OUAOUARG(Mor) vvvwCvv EOOAIGEE2 vvvvvCvC OIOEIDES (ch) vvvvvCCv OUAOUCHA(Mor) wvwCCC vvvvCvvv OUIANAIA(Ma/) vvvvCvvC IEIUNIUM vvvvCvCv OUUERAGE vvvvCvCC IUIEMONT vvvvCCvv IUUENTEE vvvvCCvC AUAUNCES vvvvCCCv AUUERGNE vwvCCCC vvvCvvvv OUAMOUIA(nz) vvvCvvvC· IEALIOUS vvvCvvCv IEALOUSE vvvCvvCC OUIGOURS vvvCvCvv UUESULAE vvvCvCvC IAIVELIN wvCvCCv UIOLENCE vvvCvCCC AEONISTS vvvCCvvv· OUACHAOU(Mor) vwCCwC AUENTOUR vwCCvCv AUENTURE vvvCCvCC EUECTICS vvvCCCvv AUOWTRIE vvvCCCvC IOUSTLES vvvCCCCv UMKKNMA(Ukr) wvCCCCC vvCvvvvv AETAEAEI2 vvCvvvvC OUTOUAIS3 vvCvvvCv· IANIUERE vvCvvvCC IOWAIANS wCwCw· IULOIDEA (w2) wCwCvC AUREOLIN wCwCCv AUDIENCE vvCvvCCC AUDIENTS vvCvCvvv EIRONEIA wCvCwC EUROPEAN wCvCvCv OOLOGIZE wCvCvCC EERINESS wCvCCw AUTOPSIA wCvCCvC AUTUMNAL wCvCCCv IACINTHE vvCvCCCC IACINTHS vvCCvvvv AISSAOUA3 wCCvwC AESTUOUS wCCwCv AESTUATE vvCCwCC· EARLIEST wCCvCw EUPHORIA wCCvCvC OUTLINED wCCvCCv AIGRETTE wCCvCCC OUTRIGHT vvCCCvvv IERDSEIE wCCCwC EIGHTEEN wCCCvCv OOSPHERE wCCCvCC EARTHISH vvCCCCvv· AUGSTSEE(Aus) wCCCCvC EARLSHIP vvCCCCCv AISCHCHA(Rus) vvCCCCCC MRRGHHS(ospd) vCvvvvvv INOEIOIO(Moz) vCvvvvvC AGAIOUAR(Mor) vCvvvvCv· EGUEIITE (w2) vCvvvvCC OBEIAUNS vCvvvCvv· EQUOIDEA (tf) vCvwCvC ISOIONIC vCwvCCv AQUIESCE vCvvvCCC EPEEISTS vCwCwv ABOITEAU vCwCwC EQUATION vCwCvCv EQUALIZE vCwCvCC IDEALISM vCwCCw ARAIGNEE vCwCCvC ORIENTAL vCwCCCv AGAINSTE vCvvCCCC UNEARTHS vCvCvvvv EPOPOEIA vCvCwvC EXIGUOUS vCvCwCv INITIATE vCvCwCC ELOQUENT vCvCvCw EPILOGUE vCvCvCvC· ESOTERIC vCvCvCCv UNIVERSE vCvCvCCC ISOMORPH vCvCCvw APATHEIA vCvCCwC ADOPTION vCvCCvCv· OVERTURE vCvCCvCC ISOTHERM vCvCCCw URETHRAE vCvCCCvC EVENTFUL vCvCCCCv AFERSCHE vCvCCCCC ABOWGHTS vCCvvvvv EZZAOUIA (Mor) vCCwwC ANNOIOUS vCCvwCv INQUEERE vCCvwCC ACQUAINT vCCwCw ILLOOPOO vCCwCvC OPTIONAL vCCwCCv· AMBIENCE vCCwCCC UNLEARNT vCCvCvw ASSAGAIE vCCvCwC ADDITION vCCvCvCv EXPOSURE vCCvCvCC IRRITANT vCCvCCw INSIGNIA vCCvCCvC ACROSTIC vCCvCCCv ASSEMBLE vCCvCCCC ADJUNCTS vCCCvvvv INGREEUE vCCCwvC UNCTUOUS vCCCwCv INCREASE vCCCwCC ALTHOUGH vCCCvCw INTRIGUE vCCCvCvC ORTHODOX vCCCvCCv EXCHANGE vCCCvCCC· INSTINCT vCCCCvvv ONTCHOUO(Con) vCCCCwC OFFSHOOT vCCCCvCv INSCRIBE vCCCCvCC ABSTRACT vCCCCCvv AZGDNDIA(Tun) vCCCCCvC ANGSTROM vCCCCCCv* UL TSCHNA (Hod) vCCCCCCC • 254 PATTERNS SHARED In Near-Alternating Vowels and Consol1anl/, Ross Eckler cites the apposite EIS EN HOWER and AUTOCRA TIC as sharing the same V -C pattern vvCvCCvCvc. Amongst 7-letter words, I discovered that HAVANAS and CIGA RED both have the pattern CvCvCvc. This same pattern forms the basis of a group of mathematical words ... COSINES, DECIMAL, DIVIDED, DIVI OR, FIGURES, HEXAGON, MINUSES, NUMERAL ... and a pair of near synonyms: DEDUCED, LOG ICAL Readers will also be familiar with these 7- letter words: CvCvCvC CAP ITAL, LEX ICON, LITERAL, SIMILES, VOCALIC CvCvCCv BALANCE, CADENCE, CEDILLA CvCCvCC BIGRAMS, CASSELL, COLLINS, LADDERS, LETTERS, NETWORK, NUMBERS, PATTERN vCvCvCC ITALICS, EDITING vCvCCCv EP ISTLE, EXAM PLE Amongst 8-letter words, ANGLICAN and ORTHODOX both have the pattern vCCCvCvC and DIVORCES and FINISHED both have the pattern CvCvCCvc. Other groups include: CvCvCvCv DATABASE, GENITIV E, VOWELIZE CCvCvCvC CHA RADES, CLERIHEW, MNEMONIC, PHON ETIC, RHOPALIC CvCvCCvC LlPOGRAM , MALAPROP, METAPHOR, REVERSAL CvCvCvCC DECODING, DOCU MENT, LIMERICK CCvCCvCC SHIFTING, SNOWBALL, SPELLING, TRIG RAMS CvCCCvCC PANGRAMS, PUZZLING, MISPRINT WEBSTERS, WORDLESS CvCCvCvC COMPUTER, MATRICES, PENTAGON SINGULAR vCCvCCvC ACROSTIC, ANTIGRAM vCCvCvCv APPOSITE, OBSOLETE vCCvCvCC APHORISM, ASTERISK, INDEX ING OPPOSING PATTERNS Each C-V pattern has its opposing V -C pattern in which a C in one word is represented by a V in the other and vice versa. Appropriately, word pairs based on these opposing V -C patterns an have antonymic, or near antonymic, meanings: 7 letters: CvCvCvC - vCvCvCv LOWERED - ELEV ATE, FOREVER - EPISODE, BOTANIC -ANIMATE, RELATES - EVASIVE, SIMILAR - UNALIKE NOTICES - UNAWARE, DISUSED - UTILIZE CvvCvvC - vCCvCCv CAUTION - ADV ANCE, WEENIER - IMM EN E 8 letters: CvCvCvCC - vCvCvCvv FOREWARD - EPILOGUE Words based on opposing patterns sometimes make phrases, as with thi 7-letter xampl : CvvCvCv - vCCvCvC LEISURE ARCADES These same two patterns are responsible for he who IMBIBES the PTIMUM ME of ALCOHOL. The reader might like to try another exercise - searching for pair of 'i ord \' ith ba k t front -C patterns such as ANAGRAM ~CvCCvC) and SURNAME ( v _). 

Vowel-Consonant Patterns (Part 1)

38 VOWEL-CONSONANT PATTERNS (PART 2) SUSAN THORPE Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, England thorpeds@hotmail.com Part I of the article listed V-C patterns in 7- and 8-letter words. Part 2 repeats the exercise for 9-letter words and then analyses the 7-, 8- and 9-letter V-C patterns. VOWEL-CONSONANT PATTERNS IN 9-LETTER WORDS (512 ==.29 patterns) Words were found for 248 of the 256 C patterns, and for 229 of the 256 V patterns. 9-lETTER C PATTERNS CCCCCCCCC· RNRGRRGRN(aae) CCCCCCCCv CCCCCCCvC BWLCHLLAN(gb) CCCCCCCvv WL TSCHNAU(Cze) CCCCCCvCC STRWMMILL CCCCCCvCv NVRVMBEGA(Hod) CCCCCCvvC TWGHTWEES(Hod) CCCCCCvvv CCCCCvCCC GSCHWANDT(Aus) CCCCCvCCv NTSTLATKO(Hod) CCCCCvCvC TRWCHEMAN CCCCCvCvv CCCCCvvCC SLWTHOUND CCCCCvvCv STRZMIELE (Pol) CCCCCvvvC GSCHNEIER(Aus) CCCCCvvvv CCCCvCCCC· MCKNIGHTS (Iv) CCCCvCCCv SCHNOZZLE CCCCvCCvC SCHNITZEL CCCCvCCvv SCHWALBEA CCCCvCvCC NTRHARAST(Mor) CCCCvCvCv TCHRAFINE (Mor) CCCCvCwC CHTHONIAN CCCCvCvvv SCHWODIAU(Aus) CCCCvvCCC SCHREETCH CCCCvvCCv TRZCIANNO (Pol) CCCCvvCvC SCHMOOZES CCCCvvCvv CHZHOUKOU(Chi) CCCCvvvCC PHTHIOICS (sl) CCCCvvvCv MCHJEAANE(SA) CCCCvvvvC CCCCvvvw CCCvCCCCC STRENGTHS CCCvCCCCv STRINCKLE CCCvCCCvC SCRATCHED CCCvCCCvv THRUNSCOE(gb) CCCvCCvCC SHRINKING CCCvCCvCv SCRIPTURE CCCvCCwC CHRISTIAN CCCvCCvvv STRILLAIE (Ita) CCCvCvCCC· PHRASINGS CCCvCvCCv CHRONICLE CCCvCvCvC SCHEMATIC CCCvCvCvv SCLEROTIA CCCvCvvCC SCREWIEST (coli) CCCvCwCv CHROMIOLE CCCvCvvvC STRENUOUS CCCvCvvvv CHTITIOUI (Mor) CCCvvCCCC STRAIGHTS CCCvvCCCv STRAUGHTE CCCvvCCvC SCROUNGED CCCvvCCvv CHMOURHIA(Mor) CCCvvCvCC THREATENS CCCvvCvCv SHROUDAGE CCCwCwC STRIATION CCCvvCvvv CHTAITAIA (Tun) CCCvvvCCC· SPREEINGS CCCvvvCCv THREE-ANTI CCCvvvCvC SCHEAUWEN CCCvvvCvv TCHAOUROU(Alg) CCCvvwCC SCHEAUING CCCvvvvCv MGHAOUINE(Mor CCCvvvvvC JRHIAOUAT(Mor) CCCvvvvvv KHRIOUIAA (Mor) CCvCCCCCC LLANLLWCH (gb) CCvCCCCCv LLANLLWNI (gb) CCvCCCCvC SWORDSMAN CCvCCCCvv PLANGSTEE CCvCCCvCC· WHISTLING CCvCCCvCv PROSTRATE CCvCCCvvC TRUNCHEON CCvCCCwv BRANCHIAE CCvCCvCCC FLATWORMS CCvCCvCCv· KNOWLEDGE CCvCCvCvC PLENTIFUL CCvCCvCw CHICKADEE CCvCCvvCC TWENTIETH CCvCCvvCv STARQUAKE CCvCCvvvC FRACTIOUS CCvCCvvvv CHICHAOUA(Mor CCvCvCCCC PRECINCTS CCvCvCCCv SHEMOZZLE CCvCvCCvC CHARACTER CCVCvCCvv GROTESQUE CCvCvCvCC· DRAMATIST CCvCvCvCv PLURALISE CCvCvCvvC PLUTONIUM CCvCvCvvv GRAMINEAE CCvCvvCCC CLiQUISMS CCvCvvCCv PRONOUNCE CCvCvvCvC CLARIONET CCvCvvCw CHIHUAHUA CCvCwvCC BROGUEISH CCvCvvvCv PRECIOUSE CCvCvvwC PLATEAUED CCvCvvvvv KHERAOUIA(Mor) CCwCCCCC DROUGHTHS CCvvCCCCv FLEITSCHE CCvvCCCvC SLAUGHTER CCwCCCw TRIUMPHEE CCvvCCvCC SCIENTIST CCwCCvCv BRAINWAVE CCwCCwC CHAUFFEUR CCvvCCvvv TROUSSEAU CCwCvCCC THOUSANDS CCwCvCCv SQUARABLE CCvvCvCvC RHEUMATIC CCwCvCvv PNEUMONIA CCwCvvCC* SPOOKIEST (coli) CCwCwCv SQUIREAGE CCvvCwvC PRAEVIOUS 39 CCvvCvvvv LHOUFOUM(Mor) CCvvvCCCC TRIEUMPHS CCvvvCCCv TREEANGLE CCwvCCvC SQUEAKLET CCwvCCw TROUETTIA (nz) CCvwCvCC SQUEAMISH CCwvCvCv PLEIOCENE CCwvCwC PHAEACIAN CCvvvCvvv DGUE'fGUIA (Mor) • CCvvvvCCC BLEEAUNTS CCvvvvCCv CRAUAUNDE CCwwCvC PLiOAETUS (nz) CCwwCw BREUIARIE CCvvvvvCC· THEAUIENS CCvvvvvCv MZAIOUATE(Mor) CCvvvvvvC NTOUIOUIZ (Man) CCvvvvvvv CHOUIOUIA (A/g) CvCCCCCCC WERNFFRWD (gb) CvCCCCCCv SAWNTWNG(Bur) CvCCCCCvC· LENGTHFUL CvCCCCCw WALSCHRIE CvCCCCvCC CATCHWORD CvCCCCvCv NAPHTHENE CvCCCCwC MONSTROUS CvCCCCwv PORTGREUE CvCCCvCCC MISGROWTH CvCCCvCCv CAMBRIDGE CvCCCvCvC TECHNICAL CvCCCvCw MISTLETOE CvCCCwCC COCKROACH CvCCCwCv DISPLEASE CvCCCwvC CONSCIOUS CvCCCvvvv FENGDOUIA (nz) CvCCvCCCC FORLENGTH CvCCvCCCv PENTANGLE CvCCvCCvC· TETRAGRAM CvCCvCCw COMMITTEE CvCCvCvCC CONSONANT CvCCvCvCv SUMMARIZE CvCCvCwC DICTATION CvCCvCwv CACTACEAE(w2) CvCCwCCC BILLIONTH CvCCwCCv DISCOURSE CvCCwCvC FICTIONAL CvCCwCw COLLEAGUE CvCCwvCC TATTOOING CvCCwvCv TURQUOISE CvCCwwC POMPEIIAN CvCCvvvvv KIPRIEOUA (lC) CvCvCCCCC ROMANTSCH CvCvCCCCv SEPULCHRE CvCvCCCvC BEWITCHED CvCvCCCw HEXANDRIA CvCvCCvCC SEMANTICS CvCvCCvCv HOMOPHONE CvCvCCwC GAZETTEER CvCvCCwv MESOGLOEA CvCvCvCCC LOGARITHM CvCvCvCCv SIBILANCE CvCvCvCvC· SEMIVOWEL CvCvCvCw CATALOGUE CvCvCwCC RECIPIENT CvCvCwCv HUMILIATE CvCvCvvvC VICARIOUS CvCvCvwv LOGOPOEIA CvCwCCCC PERIANTHS CvCwCCCv PINEAPPLE CvCwCCvC CORIANDER CvCwCCw JUNOESQUE CvCvvCvCC HOMEOPATH CvCwCvCv MINIATURE CvCwCwC VALUATION CvCwCwv TILIACEAE (w2) CvCvwCCC BEQUEATHS CvCwvCCv MANOEUVRE CvCvvvCvC· LOGAOEDIC CvCwvCvv BIVOUAQUE CvCvwvCC BUREAUISM CvCvvvvCv BEHAUOURE CvCvvvvvC DECEIUOUR CvCvvvvvv MAKOUEOUE(Hod) CwCCCCCC CvvCCCCCv CAERGWRLE(gb) CwCCCCvC MAELSTROM CwCCCCw HEICHTLIE CwCCCvCC SOUTHWARD CwCCCvCv LOATHSOME CwCCCwC· FOOTSTOOL CwCCCwv COINTREAU CwCCvCCC MOONLIGHT CwCCvCCv QUADRUPLE CwCCvCvC QUIZZICAL CwCCvCw NEOPHOBIA CvvCCwCC TOOTHIEST (coli) CwCCwCv MOONQUAKE CwCCwvC COURTEOUS CvvCCvvvv ZOOGLOEAE (ospd) CwCvCCCC BIOMORPHS CwCvCCCv HIACINTHE CwCvCCvC DIAMETRIC CwCvCCw GUARANTEE CvvCvCvCC NEOLOGISM CwCvCvCv WEARISOME CwCvCwC· QUOTATION CwCvCvw VIOLACEAE (w2) CwCwCCC QUOTIENTS CvvCwCCv PEACEABLE CwCwCvC CAUTIONED CwCwCvv· SEAQUARIA CwCwvCC VOODOOISM CwCwvCv LEAGUEITE CvvCvvvvC DIAPAUEIN (ch) CvvCvvvvv BOUDOUAOU(Alg) CvvvCCCCC RAUASCHTS CvvvCCCCv TOUANNSSA(Mor) CwvCCCvC NEOARCTIC CvvvCCCw REUELLRIE CwvCCvCC QUIESCENT CvwCCvCv BEAUVRAGE CvwCCvvC QUEENLIER (coli) CvvvCCvvv BEAUPREAU(Fra) CwvCvCCC QUOININGS CvwCvCCv QUIETANCE CvwCvCvC DIOECESAN CvwCvCw LUUILELIE CvwCwCC QUEASIEST (coli) CwvCwCv LOUISIANA CvwCvwC· BEAUTEOUS CvvvCvvvv RAOUDAoUA(Mor) CvwvCCCC CvvvvCCCv SEOUENTHE CwwCCvC SOIOURNER CvvvvCCvv BOOUILLAO (Phi) CvwvCvCC GUAIACUMS CvwvCvCv GUAIACENE CvvvvCvvC MAIOIDEAN CvvvvCvvv TIOUAMAOU(Mor) CvvvvvCCC QUEUEINGS CvvvvvCCv ROUAOUSSA(Mor) CvvvvvCvC BOUOUAMAR(Mor) CvvvvvCvv POUAOUMOU(FP) CvvvvvvCC HOUAOUESS(Mor CvvvvvvCv SOUIOUINA(Mor) CvvvvvvvC· HAOUIOUIS (A/g) Cvvvvvvvv HAOUAOUIA (Mor) 40 9-LETTER V PATTERNS vvvvvvvvv· wvvvwCC vwvwCCv vvvvvCwC wvvvCCw wvvvCCCC wwCvvCv wwCvCvC vwvCCvw wwCCvCC wwCCCCv vvvCwwC vvvCwCvv vwCvvCCC vvvCvCvCv vvvCvCCvC vvvCCvvvv wvCCvvCC vwCCvCCv vvvCCCwC vwCCCCw vwCCCCCC vvCwwCv wCvwCvC vvCvvCvvv wCwCvCC vvCvvCCCv wCvCvwC wCvCvCw· wCvCvCCC wCvCCvCv wCvCCCvC vvCCwvvv wCCvwCC wCCwCCv wCCvCwC wCCvCCw· wCCvCCCC wCCCwCv wCCCvCvC vvCCCCvvv wCCCCvCC vwvvvvvC AOUAOUICH (A/g) vwvwCw OUAOUASSA(Mor) vwvwCCC OUAOULOUZ(Mor) wvvvCvCv IAOUASSOU( Gun) wvvvCCvC wwCww· AAOUSIENE(Mo r) wwCvvCC AAAATAMAD (cad) wwCvCCv wwCCwC IAOUCHACH(Mor) wwCCCw UUE-ANTSLA(Est) vwvCCCCC IOULIOUIL (Mor) vvvCvvvCv OUALOUGOU(Mor vvvCwCvC OUAGUELZN(Mor) vvvCvCvw· AEOLIPILE vwCvCvCC AEOLISTIC vvvCvCCCv OUONDEOUA(/C) vvvCCvvvC OUAMSOUL T(Mor vvvCCvCw EUOPSITTA (nz) vwCCvCCC AOUCHGUEL(Mor) vvvCCCvCv vvvCCCCvC wCvwvw OULIOUINE (Mor) vvCwwCC AUROAURIC (w2) wCvvvCCv AIZOACEAE (w2) wCwCvvC· AUTOECISM (w2) wCwCCw OUGUERGZA(Mor wCwCCCC AUDACIOUS wCvCwCv AUDITORIA wCvCvCvC EULOGISMS wCvCCvvv AEROPLANE AUTARCHIC AISSAOUIA (A/g) OUTSEEING OUBLIETTE EUPHONIUM EUPHORBIA OUTBURSTS OUTPRAISE AESTHETIC OAKTCHOIE(Hod) EARTHWORM wCvCCvCC vvCvCCCCv vvCCwwC wCCvvCw wCCwCCC wCCvCvCv wCCvCCvC wCCCww wCCCvvCC wCCCvCCv wCCCCwC wCCCCCw· vwvwvCv AUOEOUDIA (bae) wwwCvC wvvvCwv AAAUASASU (cad) vvvwCvCC OUAOUCLlD(Mor) wwvCCCv AIOUNOUEA(Hod) vwvCvwC AOUEREICH(Man ) wwCvCw AUOIDANCE vwvCvCCC OUEILLOUX (Fra) vvvvCCvCv UUOERTHAE(Mor) vvwCCCvC wvCwvvv OUAZIOUNE(Mor) vwCvwCC IAALOUMAB(Mor) vwCwCCv UAALUCUEO(Moz vwCvCvvC EUEMERISM vwCvCCvv OUAMENNZA(Mor vvvCvCCCC AOUTLAOUK(Mor) wvCCvvCv IOUGLARIE vwCCvCvC OUIZZERHT (Mor) vwCCCwv· OUERWHERE vwCCCvCC AOULKJDAD(Mor) vvvCCCCCv vvCvvvwC OUT AOUATS(Hod vvCvvvCvv· OOSEOOCHE (Hod) vvCvvvCCC AEQUOREAL wCwCvCv AUDIENCIA (ch) wCwCCvC wCvCww AEROPAUSE (coli) wCvCwCC EULOGIZED wCvCvCCv OENOCHOAE(w3) wCvCCvvC EAGERNESS wCvCCCw OEKELSCHE(Net) wCvCCCCC OUTRAIOUS wCCvvvCv AUBRIETIA wCCvvCvC OUTBOARDS wCCvCvvv AUTHORIZE wCCvCvCC AUGMENTED wCCvCCCv AANNKAOUI (Syr) wCCCvvvC EIGHTIETH wCCCvCvv AIRBRIDGE wCCCvCCC EARTHLIER AITCH-FREE wCCCCvCv wCCCCCvC AOUAOUHET(Mor) OUAOUKAlA(Mor) OUAOURINT(Mor) OUAOUCHKI(Mor) AOUAMEDIA(Alg) AOUIZAKHT(Mor) OUIAZZANE(Mor) UUIURTHIT -AEOLIENNE AEOLODION OUASEKSOU(Mor) AEOLIGHTS (w3) OUERSEENE EUAGROTIS (nz) OUINNDIOU(Sen) OUERQWERT OUACHCHDA(Man) IAZOUAOUT (Mor) OESOEENOE(/no) AUTOUACKS(Hod) AERIOLATE (bt) AUDIENCES AESETOOUE(Hod) EUROPEANS IONIZABLE AUTOPSIES EUMORPHIA (nz) EUPTOIETA (ebw) AUCTIONED OOSPOREAE(w2) AUTHORESS OUTPUZZLE OUTSQUEAL AUSTRALIA EASTWARDS EIGHTSOME EARTHSMAN 4 1 wCCCCCCv wCCCCCCC vCvvvvvvv vCvvvvvvC vCwwvCv· ATAOUIENE (Mor) vCvvvvvCC IGUIOUARN (Mor) vCwwCw ODIOUETOU(Tog) vCwwCvC EQUIAEVAL vCvvvvCCv ARAEAEDDE vCwwCCC vCvvvCvw EPIEIKEIA3 vCvvvCwC EQUOIDEAN (w2) vCvwCvCv ELAIOSOME (w2) vCwvCvCC ARAEOTICS vCvvvCCvv ELEOUDHIA(Cyp) vCvvvCCvC ELAEAGNUS vCvvvCCCv EQUIANGLE vCwvCCCC ONE-EIGHTH vCwCww AREACAEAE (dbs) vCwCvvvC OLEACEOUS vCwCwCv· UNIONOIDA (tf) vCwCwCC EQUATIONS vCwCvCvv EQUIVOQUE vCwCvCvC AXIOMATIC vCvvCvCCv AVOIDABLE vCwCvCCC UNIONISTS vCwCCvw AZOUGZAOU(Mor) vCwCCvvC ORIENTEER vCvvCCvCv ORIENTATE vCvvCCvCC EQUIPMENT vCwCCCw APOINCTEE vCvvCCCvC UNEARTHED vCwCCCCv AWEIGHTTE vCvvCCCCC vCvCwvvv ERINIOUAI (Hod) vCvCwwC IROQUOIAN vCvCvvvCv ELAQUEATE vCvCvvvCC OPAQUEING vCvCwCw OPALIINAE (tf) vCvCwCvC EMOTIONAL vCvCwCCv ELOQUENCE vCvCvvCCC UTOPIASTS vCvCvCvvv ERICACEAE vCvCvCvvC IMITATION vCvCvCvCv· ANIMATIVE vCvCvCvCC UROLOGIST vCvCvCCw ARABESQUE vCvCvCCvC AGAMEMNON vCvCvCCCv EPICENTRE vCvCvCCCC ELEVENTHS vCvCCvwv OUERLEEUE vCvCCvvvC UNOBVIOUS vCvCCvvCv ENUNCIATE vCvCCvvCC EBULLIENT vCvCCvCw ANASTASIA vCvCCvCvC ADULTERER vCvCCvCCv ADAPTABLE vCvCCvCCC ALARMISTS vCvCCCwv ISACHNEAE (99) vCvCCCwC APARTHEID vCvCCCvCv· ALONGSIDE vCvCCCvCC ALERTNESS vCvCCCCvv ANARTHRIA vCvCCCCvC OVERTHROW vCvCCCCCv UPANKHCHI (Hod) vCvCCCCCC vCCvvvvw vCCwvvvC ISGUIOUAR (Mar) vCCvvvvCv ESSAOUIRA(Mor) vCCwwCC ARRAIOURS vCCvvvCvv ACMAEIDAE (w2) vCCwvCvC UNQUIETED vCCvvvCCv· ACQUIESCE vCCvvvCCC ACQUAINTS vCCwCvvv AMMIACEAE (w2) vCCwCvvC ENDEAVOUR vCCwCvCv INTUITIVE vCCwCvCC ORDAINING vCCvvCCw APPOINTEE vCCwCCvC EXHAUSTED vCCwCCCv ENCOUNTRE vCCwCCCC OMNIARCHS vCCvCvvvv ACRASIEAE (w2) vCCvCvvvC INGENIOUS vCCvCvvCv INSINUATE vCCvCwCC EFFICIENT vCCvCvCw INDONESIA vCCvCvCvC EMPIRICAL vCCvCvCCv· ALLOWANCE vCCvCvCCC ORGANISMS vCCvCCvw ATTURNEIE vCCvCCwC ENTERTAIN vCCvCCvCv UNDERLINE vCCvCCvCC· UTTERMOST vCCvCCCw ECLAMPSIA vCCvCCCvC ENTANGLED vCCvCCCCv ENRANCKLE (ch) vCCvCCCCC ALWITZSCH(Aus) vCCCvvvvv vCCCwwC INGRIEUES vCCCvvvCv ANCHOIADE (10) vCCCwvCC UNSHOEING vCCCwCvv EXPLOITEE vCCCwCvC APPRAISAL vCCCwCCv EFFLUENCE vCCCwCCC ONSLAUGHT vCCCvCwv ORCHIDEAE (ch) vCCCvCwC AMPLIFIER vCCCvCvCv EXCLUSIVE vCCCvCvCC ARCHIVIST vCCCvCCvv AFFRONTEE vCCCvCCvC INSPECTOR vCCCvCCCv· ORCHESTRA vCCCvCCCC INSTINCTS vCCCCvvvv vCCCCvvvC ANGLMAUER(Aus) vCCCCwCv ALMSHOUSE vCCCCwCC ARMCHAIRS vCCCCvCw ANTHRACIA (st) vCCCCvCvC ARTHRITIS vCCCCvCCv ENSTRANGE vCCCCvCCC OFFPRINTS vCCCCCvw vCCCCCvvC ANGSTROEM vCCCCCvCv ERSTWHILE vCCCCCvCC OFFSPRING vCCCCCCvv ACHTSVLEI (SA) vCCCCCCvC ANNDGGHOS (Hod) vCCCCCCCv· vCCCCCCCC 42 ANALYSI OF THE 7-,8- AND 9-LETTER V-C PATTERNS The patterns are here analysed with regard to the number of words they form. The total number of7-, 8- and 9-letter patterns is 896 (128, 256 and 512 respectively) representing a total of 448 C patterns and 448 V patterns. The reader is reminded that we are on ly concerned with Y -less words. Table I shows the number of 7-, 8- and 9-letter C patterns and V patterns which form the basis for no words at all, I to 5 words, 6 to 999 words, and for 1000+ words. Table 1 WORDS none 1 to 5 6 to 999 1000+ TOTAL -PATTS. C7 7 38 19 64 C8 2 25 74 27 128 C9 8 73 139 36 256 Total 10 105 251 82 448 V7 1 15 43 5 64 V8 5 51 67 5 128 V9 28 90 130 8 256 Total 34 156 240 18 448 TOTAL 44 261 491 100 896 • % of 896 5 29 55 11 100 This table also highlights the differences and similarities in productivity between the 7-, 8- and 9-letter C patterns en bloc on the one hand, and the 7-, 8- and 9-letter V patterns en bloc on the other. This reveals, not unexpectedly, that C patterns, at least of lengths 7, 8 and 9 letters, are generally more conducive to word-making than V patterns: * no word found - 34 V patterns but only) 0 C patterns * 1 t05words-156VpatternsilOSCpatterns • 6 to 999 words - 240 V patterns and 251 C patterns ... remarkably simi lar * 1,000+ words - 18 V patterns, but a massive 82 C patterns In an attempt to establish what makes a productive or non-productive C pattern or V pattern, the Tables below show the distribution of 7- 8- and 9-letter patterns which form the basis o f no words at all (Table 2), I to 5 words (Table 3) and) 000+ words (Table 4), according to their long runs of Cs and/or Vs (a long run being defined as 3 or more). To do this, I start by noting the distribution of patterns with two runs of 4 Cs or two runs of 4 Vs, or one 4-letter run of each, iilespective of the other Cs and Vs in the pattern. From the remaining patterns, I then note the distribution of those with a single run of 4(+) Cs or 4(+) Vs, then the distribution of those with two runs of 3 Cs or two runs of 3 Vs, or one run of 3 Cs and one run of 3 Vs. Finally I note the distribution of the patterns with a single run of 3 Cs or 3 Vs 43 Table 2 BARREN PATIERNS RUNS 4CN+4CN 4(+)C 4(+)V 3C+3C 3V+3V 3C+3V 3Cor3V TOTAL PAnS C7 C8 1 1 2 C9 4 4 8 Total 5 5 10 V7 1 1 V8 1 2 2 5 V9 3 11 13 1* 28 Total 4 14 15 1 34 TOTAL 9 19 15 1 44 No word was found for 44 (5%) of the total 896 patterns. All except one of the barren patterns have I or more runs of 4(+) Cs and/or 4(+) V s: • 9 have a run of4 Cs and a run of4 Vs • 34 have a single run of 4(+) Cs or 4(+) Vs • I has 2 runs of3 Vs· The remaining 852 (896 - 44) patterns all form the basis of one or more words. They include all the 7-, 8- and 9-letter patterns made exclusively of single and double runs ofCs and Vs. Table 3 PATIERNS MAKING 1 - 5 WORDS RUNS 4CN+4CN 4(+)C 4(+)V 3C+3C 3V+3V 3C+3V 3Cor3V TOTAL PAnS C7 4 3 7 C8 13 11 1 25 C9 1 27 35 2 5 3 73 Total 1 44 49 2 6 3 105 V7 3 9 1 2 15 V8 10 24 2 5 10 51 V9 2 15 39 4 10 19 90 Total 2 28 72 7 15 31 156 TOTAL 3 72 121 9 21 34 261 1 to 5 ere found fi r 261 (29%) of the 896 patterns, nearly s ix times as many as for \ hich n · ord as fou nd (44). All 26 1 patterns ex.hibi t at least one run of three or more s or V ,a did th 44 barren pat1erns: • 3 have, i l , two run of 4 ( ), two run of 4 Vs (vvvvCvvvv), and ne run each of4 and 4 s ( ) .. .. I <I hn e n run of 4(+) or 4() . .. 30 ha e I~ run f) ,or a run each of) and 3 . one has two runs f3 .. 34 ha e a ingJe run f 3 or 3 . 44 Table 4 PATIERNS MAKING 1000+ WORDS RUNS 4CN+4CN 4(+)C 4(+)V 3C+3C 3V+3V 3C+3V 3Cor3V No runs TOTAL of 3 (+ PAnS C7 1 18 19 C8 1 6 20 27 C9 3 1 10 22 36 Total 4 1 17 60 82 V7 " 1 4 5 V8 1 4 5 V9 2 6 8 Total 4 14 18 TOTAL 4 1 21 74 100 1000+ words were found for 100 (11%) of the 896 patterns. None of the 100 patterns has a vowel run of more than 2Vs: * 4 patterns have runs of 4 Cs: CvCCCCvC, CvCCCCvCv, CvCCCCvvC, CvCCCCvCC. * I pattern has two runs of3 Cs: CvCCCvCCC. * 21 patterns have a single run of 3 Cs. * 74 patterns are made exclusively of single and double Cs and Vs. At first sight, it seems odd that any pattern with a run of 4 Cs is able to host more than 1000 words. The four patterns concerned (one of 8 letters and three of 9 letters) have a common feature, they all start with CvCCCCv ... Furthermore, the pattern CvCCCCvCC is, somewhat surprisingly, the twelfth most productive of all the 9-letter C patterns, forming the basis of words which include: BANDSTAND, CATCHMENT, DITCHLESS, FETCH LING, GOLDCREST, HUNCHBACK, JOHNSWORT, KICKSHAWS, LOCKSM ITH, MALTSTERS, NIGHTFALL, PATCHWORK, QINGCHENG (in China), RATCHMENT, SUBSCRIPT, TOWNSFOLK, VETCHLlNG, WATCHWORD, XINGZHONG (in China), ZOLLPFUND (w2). Which patterns are the most productive? The list below shows the winner and runner up for 7-, 8-and 9-letter Y -less C and V patterns. It is noteworthy that all six V patterns start with vCCvc. .. and that five of the six C patterns start with CvCCv ... Note that none of the twelve patterns have any runs of Vs, and that the 8-letter C pattern runner up is the only one to embody a rUr) of 3 (Cs). Winners Runners up C patterns V patterns C patterns V patterns 7 letters CvCCvCC vCCvCvC CvCvCvC vCCvCCv 8 letters CvCCvCvC vCCvCCvC CvCCCvCC vCCvCvCC 9 letters CvCCvCCvC vCCvCCvCC CvCCvCvCC vCCvCvCvC Examples based on the eight 7- and 8-letter patterns can be found in Pal/erns Shared and Opposing Patterns in Part I of the article. Working from left to right, examples for the four 9-letter patterns include TETRAGRAM, ACROSTICS, CONSONANT and UNVOWELED. To conclude, it s back to opposing V-C patterns. The 9-letter V pattern runner up vCCvCvCvC and its opposite number CvvCvCvCv suitably form the basis of the near-antonymic pair OPPOSITES and LOOKALIKE. 

Vowel-Consonant Patterns (Part 2)

http://digitalcommons.butler.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4709&context=wordways

Vowel-Consonant Patterns (Part 2)

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