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fricative

 - 3 dictionary results

fric⋅a⋅tive

[frik-uh-tiv] Phonetics
–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
2. Also called spirant. a fricative consonant, as (th), (v), or (h).

Origin:
1855–60; fricat(ion) + -ive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fric·a·tive   (frĭk'ə-tĭv)   
n.  A consonant, such as f or s in English, produced by the forcing of breath through a constricted passage. Also called spirant.
adj.  Of, relating to, or being a fricative consonant.

[New Latin fricātīvus, from Latin fricātus, past participle of fricāre, to rub.]
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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Encyclopedia

fricative

in phonetics, a consonant sound, such as English f or v, produced by bringing the mouth into position to block the passage of the airstream, but not making complete closure, so that air moving through the mouth generates audible friction.

Learn more about fricative with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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