synaeresis n 1: the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong [syn: {syneresis}, {synaeresis}] 2: the separation of liquid from a gel that is caused by contraction (as in cheese making) [syn: {syneresis}, {synaeresis}]
Synaeresis \Syn*aer"e*sis\, Syneresis \Syn*er"e*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a taking or drawing together, fr. ? to take together; sy`n with + ? to take, to grasp. See {Syn-}, and {Heresy}.] (Gram.) The union, or drawing together into one syllable, of two vowels that are ordinarily separated in syllabification; synecphonesis; -- the opposite of diaeresis. [1913 Webster]