— onomatopoeic, onomatopoetic /on'euh mat'euh poh et"ik/ , adj. — onomatopoeically, onomatopoetically , adv.
/on'euh mat'euh pee"euh, -mah'teuh-/ , n.
1. the formation of a word, as cuckoo or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.
2. a word so formed.
3. Rhet. the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical effect.
[ 1570-80; onomatopoiía making of words = onomato- (comb. form of ónoma NAME) + poi- (s. of poieîn to make; see POET) + -ia -IA ]