Strict Cyclicity

Definition
Strict Cyclicity is a rule that may apply to a string x just in case either of the following holds:

a. The rule makes crucial reference to information in the representation that spans the boundary between the current cycle and the preceding one. b. The rule applies solely within the domain of the previous cycle but crucially refers to information supplied by a rule operating on the current cycle. (formulation of Kenstowicz (1994))

From this condition on the application of cyclic rules important theoretical consequences have been drawn. It follows form this condition that cyclic rules cannot operate on underived lexical items.

Example
In English the rule Trisyllabic shortening shortens the underlying vowel of sane [e] to [Ã¦] in the derived word san-ity. This rule does not apply in the underived item nightingale.

Links

 * Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics