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consonant

 - 3 dictionary results

con⋅so⋅nant

  [kon-suh-nuhnt]
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–noun
1. Phonetics.
a. (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.
8. consonantal.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME consona(u)nt (< AF) < L consonant- (s. of consonāns, prp. of consonāre to sound with or together). See con-, sonant

Related forms:
con⋅so⋅nant⋅like, adjective
con⋅so⋅nant⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
3. concordant, congruous, conformant.

Antonyms:
6. dissonant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To consonant
con·so·nant   (kŏn'sə-nənt)   
adj.  

  1. Being in agreement or accord: remarks consonant with our own beliefs.

  2. Corresponding or alike in sound, as words or syllables.

  3. Harmonious in sound or tone.

n.  

  1. 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).

  2. 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.]
con'so·nant·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

consonant  (n.)
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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