Dieresis

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·noun ·same·as Diaeresis.

II. Dieresis ·noun The separation or resolution of one syllable into two;

— the opposite of synaeresis.

III. Dieresis ·noun A mark consisting of two dots [/], placed over the second of two adjacent vowels, to denote that they are to be pronounced as distinct letters; as, cooperate, aerial.