alveopalatal

[ al-vee-oh-pal-uh-tl ]

adjective

1. articulated with the blade or front of the tongue approaching or touching the front of the hard palate near its junction with the alveolar ridge; having a primary palatal articulation and a secondary alveolar articulation.

noun

1. an alveopalatal sound.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alveopalatal¹

1940–45; shortening of alveolopalatal, equivalent to alveolo- + palatal

Example Sentences

It is an example of something called “alveopalatal assimilation,” and though everyone agrees it is on the upswing, there is no consensus on why.

From Washington Post