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Synonyms

spirant

American  
[spahy-ruhnt] / ˈspaɪ rənt /

noun

  1. fricative.


adjective

  1. Also spirantal fricative.

spirant British  
/ ˈspaɪrənt /

adjective

  1. phonetics another word for fricative

"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

noun

  1. a fricative consonant

"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

Etymology

Origin of spirant

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The spirant th corresponding to O. N. ð, and O. E. d.

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

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

Hue, foedat quos lepra, urit quos febris, adeste, Dia salutares spirant medicamina rami; Hic requies fessis: non sacra sacvit in umbra Vis boreae gelida, aut rapidi violeutia solis.

From Dr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1 The Works of Samuel Johnson, Ll.D., in Nine Volumes by Johnson, Samuel

Floribus in pratis, legi quos ipse, coronam   Contextam variis, do, Rhodoclea, tibi: Hic anemone humet, confert narcissus odores   Cum violis; spirant lilia mista rosis.

From Dr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1 The Works of Samuel Johnson, Ll.D., in Nine Volumes by Johnson, Samuel

Later, as Latin did not use for the consonant written as v in vis, &c. , was dropped and received a new special value in Latin as representative of the unvoiced labio-dental spirant.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various