assibilate

[ uh-sib-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object),as·sib·i·lat·ed, as·sib·i·lat·ing.
  1. to change into or pronounce with the accompaniment of a sibilant sound or sounds.

verb (used without object),as·sib·i·lat·ed, as·sib·i·lat·ing.
  1. to change by assibilation.

  2. to become a sibilant or a sound containing a sibilant.

Origin of assibilate

1
1835–45; <Latin assībilātus murmured, whispered at, hissed (past participle of assībilāre). See as-, sibilate

Other words from assibilate

  • as·sib·i·la·tion, noun
  • un·as·sib·i·lat·ed, adjective

Words Nearby assibilate

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British Dictionary definitions for assibilate

assibilate

/ (əˈsɪbɪˌleɪt) /


verbphonetics
  1. (intr) (of a speech sound) to be changed into a sibilant

  2. (tr) to pronounce (a speech sound) with or as a sibilant

Origin of assibilate

1
C19: from Late Latin assībilāre to hiss at, from sībilāre to hiss; see sibilant

Derived forms of assibilate

  • assibilation, noun

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