What term refers to the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words?

The term that refers to the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words is alliteration. This literary device is often used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, enhance mood, or emphasize certain phrases. For example, phrases like "wild and whirling words" utilize alliteration to draw attention and create a musical quality in the language.

Metaphor, on the other hand, is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things, indicating that one thing is another; this does not involve sound repetition. A simile, similar to a metaphor, compares two different things but does so using "like" or "as." Onomatopoeia refers to words that phonetically imitate sounds (like "buzz" or "clang") and does not involve the repetition of initial consonant sounds. Therefore, the correct answer is clearly alliteration, as it specifically addresses the repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words.