lenis

[ lee-nis, ley- ]

adjective

1. pronounced with relatively weak muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in weak sound effect: in stressed or unstressed position, ( b, d, g, j, v, th̸, z, and zh ) are lenis in English, as compared with ( p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, and sh ), which are fortis. Compare fortis ( def 1 ).

noun

, plural le·nes [lee, -neez, ley, -].

1. a lenis consonant.

lenis

/ ˈliːnɪs /

adjective

1. (of a consonant) articulated with weak muscular tension

noun

1. a consonant, such as English b or v, pronounced with weak muscular force

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenis¹

First recorded in 1925–30; from Latin: “soft, mild, gentle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenis¹

C19: from Latin: gentle

Example Sentences

“We are gillnet fishers and we always travel as a troupe of boats. At least one boat will have a satellite phone,” said Lenis, who primarily catches tuna, sharks and other big fish.

From Seattle Times

Despite the risks, Lenis, who is a captain and has been fishing for 35 years, says he plans to continue and these warnings are keeping him and others just a little bit safer.

From Seattle Times

“Increasing fuel costs, depleting fish numbers and increasing number of boats is making fishing harder,” said Lenis, the fisher whose crew returned to port in 2021 upon getting the storm warning.

From Seattle Times

Lenis Valens, a spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said that seven people were arrested on charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and interference with public transportation at the protest at Teterboro, which included 15 to 20 people and blocked the main entrance to the airport.

From New York Times

Lenis Manzanarez Suazo, a Honduran who has also been waiting in Matamoros for the American border to reopen, said she watched as American immigration authorities walked her 7-year-old daughter, Samantha Manzanarez, into the United States on Sept. 23.

From New York Times