monophthong

[ mon-uhf-thawng, -thong ]

nounPhonetics.
  1. a vowel retaining the same quality throughout its duration.

Origin of monophthong

1
1610–20; <Greek monóphthongos equivalent to mono-mono- + phthóngos sound

Other words from monophthong

  • mon·oph·thon·gal [mon-uhf-thawng-guhl, -thong-], /ˈmɒn əfˌθɔŋ gəl, -ˌθɒŋ-/, adjective

Words Nearby monophthong

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British Dictionary definitions for monophthong

monophthong

/ (ˈmɒnəfˌθɒŋ) /


noun
  1. a simple or pure vowel

Origin of monophthong

1
C17: from Greek monophthongos, from mono- + thongos sound

Derived forms of monophthong

  • monophthongal (ˌmɒnəfˈθɒŋɡəl), adjective

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