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monophthong

[ mon-uhf-thawng, -thong ]

noun

, Phonetics.
  1. a vowel retaining the same quality throughout its duration.


monophthong

/ ˌmɒnəfˈθɒŋɡəl; ˈmɒnəfˌθɒŋ /

noun

  1. a simple or pure vowel
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • monophthongal, adjective
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Other Words From

  • mon·oph·thon·gal [mon, -, uh, f-thawng-g, uh, l, -thong-], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of monophthong1

1610–20; < Greek monóphthongos equivalent to mono- mono- + phthóngos sound
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Word History and Origins

Origin of monophthong1

C17: from Greek monophthongos, from mono- + thongos sound
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Example Sentences

Even such a sound as is represented by -au or -aw, though it has but slight diphthongal quality, seems to sound longer than most monophthongs.

The vowels tend to become higher or lower, the diphthongs tend to coalesce into monophthongs, the voiceless consonants tend to become voiced, stops tend to become spirants.

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monophosphatemonophthongize