What is elides?

Elides is a linguistic term that refers to the omission of a vowel or a syllable in speech or writing. It occurs when a word ending in a vowel directly precedes a word beginning with another vowel. In such cases, the two vowels may merge into a single sound, and the unstressed vowel is usually dropped to avoid the awkward transition of two adjacent vowels. For example, in the phrase "I am," the "e" in "I" is usually elided so that the phrase sounds like "I'm" (ai'm). Elision is a common feature in many languages, including English, French, Italian, and Spanish, and its use can affect the rhythm, melody, and overall flow of speech and writing. It is also important in poetry to maintain meter and syllabic structure.