continuant

[ kuhn-tin-yoo-uhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a consonant, as f or s, that may be prolonged without change of quality. Compare stop ( def 34 ).

continuant

/ kənˈtɪnjʊənt /

a speech sound, such as (l), (r), (f), or (s), in which the closure of the vocal tract is incomplete, allowing the continuous passage of the breath

1600–10; < Latin continuant-, stem of continuāns, present participle of continuāre to continue; -ant

In standard English the h is a glottal continuant only when there is precise and emphatic utterance.

The passage would be too narrow, there would be friction, and a continuant would be the result (see § 34).

This r is a kind of palatal blade continuant, and its use should be avoided, as it is generally held to be affected.

Continuant nostre routte, navigasmes par trois jours sans rien descouvrir.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse