fricative

[ frik-uh-tiv ]
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adjective
  1. (of a speech sound) characterized by audible friction produced by forcing the breath through a constricted or partially obstructed passage in the vocal tract; spirantal; spirant.

noun
  1. Also called spirant. a fricative consonant, as (th), (v), or (h).

Origin of fricative

1
First recorded in 1855–60; fricat(ion) + -ive

Other words from fricative

  • non·fric·a·tive, adjective, noun
  • un·fric·a·tive, adjective

Words Nearby fricative

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British Dictionary definitions for fricative

fricative

/ (ˈfrɪkətɪv) /


noun
  1. a continuant consonant produced by partial occlusion of the airstream, such as (f) or (z)

adjective
  1. relating to or denoting a fricative

Origin of fricative

1
C19: from New Latin fricātivus, from Latin fricāre to rub

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