lenite

[ luh-nahyt ]

verb (used without object),le·nit·ed, le·nit·ing.
  1. to undergo lenition; be pronounced with weakened articulation, as when the consonant sound p changes to b,b to v, or v to w.

verb (used with object),le·nit·ed, le·nit·ing.
  1. to cause (a consonant sound) to lenite.

Origin of lenite

1
First recorded in 1910–15; back formation from lenition

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024