(in English articulation) a speech sound produced by occluding with or without releasing (p, b; t, d; k, g), diverting (m, n, ng), or obstructing (f, v; s, z, etc.) the flow of air from the lungs (opposed to vowel).
b.
(in a syllable) any sound other than the sound of greatest sonority in the syllable, as b, r, and g in brig (opposed to sonant). Compare vowel(def. 1b).
c.
(in linguistic function) a concept empirically determined as a phonological element in structural contrast with vowel, as the b of be, the w of we, the y, s, and t of yeast, etc.
2.
a letter that usually represents a consonant sound.
–adjective
3.
in agreement; agreeable; in accord; consistent (usually fol. by to or with): behavior consonant with his character.
4.
corresponding in sound, as words.
5.
harmonious, as sounds.
6.
Music. constituting a consonance.
7.
Physics. noting or pertaining to sounds exhibiting consonance.
Being in agreement or accord: remarks consonant with our own beliefs.
Corresponding or alike in sound, as words or syllables.
Harmonious in sound or tone.
n.
A speech sound produced by a partial or complete obstruction of the air stream by any of various constrictions of the speech organs, such as (p), (f), (r), (w), and (h).
A letter or character representing such a speech sound.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin cōnsonāns, cōnsonant-, present participle of cōnsonāre, to agree : com-, com- + sonāre, to sound; see swen- in Indo-European roots.]
c.1308, from L. consonantem (nom. consonans), prp. of consonare "to sound together," from com- "with" + sonare, from sonus "sound" (see sound (n.1)). Consonants thought of as sounds that are only produced together with vowels.
in keeping; "salaries agreeable with current trends"; "plans conformable with your wishes"; "expressed views concordant with his background" [syn: accordant]
Con"so*nant\, a. [L. consonans, -antis; p. pr. of consonare to sound at the same time, agree; con- + sonare to sound: cf. F. consonnant. See Sound to make a noise.]1. Having agreement; congruous; consistent; according; -- usually followed by with or to. Each one pretends that his opinion . . . is consonant to the words there used. --Bp. Beveridge. That where much is given there shall be much required is a thing consonant with natural equity. --Dr. H. More. 2. Having like sounds. Consonant words and syllables. --Howell. 3. (Mus.) harmonizing together; accordant; as, consonant tones, consonant chords. 4. Of or pertaining to consonants; made up of, or containing many, consonants. No Russian whose dissonant consonant name Almost shatters to fragments the trumpet of fame. --T. Moore.
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