spelling

[ContraryMary]

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).

[Quizmonkey]

Probably an optional thing but I'm sure I hear heenus more than haynus (in the UK anyway).

[heathfield]

As with veins and 'Veinous', both pronounciations are heard and acceptable.

[RogK]

Yes, I'm with 'heenus'.

[Buenchico]

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

[Octavius]

HAY-nis

[Octavius]

You could probably use Hay-nuhs, as the word stems from a Middle English alteration of the Old French �haineus�, from haine meaning hatred.

[JK2]

My copy of the Oxford English Dictionary gives both versions as being correct but, personally, I prefer haynus.

[littleone85]

Think its probably a 'you say potato (pot-ay-toe), i say potato (pot-ah-toe)' situation, I usually use haynus.