constrictor

/kənˈstɹɪk.tə/noun
Middle School
1

A muscle whose contraction narrows a vessel or passage or compresses an organ.

2

Ellipsis of pharyngeal constrictor (“each of the muscles which constrict the pharynx”).

3

Ellipsis of boa constrictor, either the species Boa constrictor or a similar snake that kills by constriction.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing