adjective 1.pronounced with relatively weak muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in weak
sound effect: in stressed or unstressed position, (
b, d, g, j, v, th̸, z, and
zh ) are lenis in English, as compared with (
p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, and
sh ),
which are fortis. Compare
fortis ( def 1 ).
Origin:
1925–30; < Latin: soft, mild, gentle