spirant

American  

[spahy-ruhnt] / ˈspaɪ rənt /

noun

1. fricative.

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adjective

1. Also spirantal fricative.

spirant British  

/ ˈspaɪrənt /

adjective

1. phonetics another word for fricative

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noun

1. a fricative consonant

Etymology

Origin of spirant

1865–70; < Latin spīrant- (stem of spīrāns, present participle of spīrāre to breathe); spirit, -ant

Example Sentences

That the spirant J was in all cases pronounced as Y there is scarcely room for doubt.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Cruttwell, Charles Thomas

When the lips are not tightly closed the sound produced is not a stop, but a spirant like the English w.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

It is classed as a surd spirant, its corresponding sonant spirant being v, which is distinguished from f by being pronounced with voice instead of breath, as may be perceived by pronouncing ef, ev.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various

Fie for Shame; I can't forbear making Use of that Expression of the Satyrist, Tunc immensa cavi spirant mendacia folles.

From Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. by Erasmus, Desiderius

Waith, O. N. væiðr, has kept the spirant, but faid, a "company of hunters," has changed it to d.

From Scandinavian influence on Southern Lowland Scotch by Flom, George Tobias