Definition of Diphthong

1. Noun. A vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another.

Generic synonyms: Vowel, Vowel Sound
Derivative terms: Diphthongize

Definition of Diphthong

1. n. A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; -- called a proper diphthong.

2. v. t. To form or pronounce as a diphthong; diphthongize.

Definition of Diphthong

1. Noun. (phonetics) A complex vowel sound that begins with the sound of one vowel and ends with the sound of another vowel, in the same syllable. ¹

2. Noun. (rare) A vowel digraph or ligature. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Diphthong

1. [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Diphthong

1. Origin: L. Diphthongus, Gr.; = twice + voice, sound, fr. To utter a sound: cf. F. Diphthongue] A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; called a proper diphthong. A vowel digraph; a union of two vowels in the same syllable, only one of them being sounded; as, ai in rain, eo in people; called an improper diphthong. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Diphthong

diphtherial
diphtherias
diphtheric
diphtheritic
diphtheritic conjunctivitis
diphtheritic enteritis
diphtheritic membrane
diphtheritic neuropathy
diphtheritic paralysis
diphtheritic ulcer
diphtheroid
diphtheroids
diphtherotoxin
diphthine methyltransferase
diphthong
diphthongal
diphthongally
diphthongation
diphthongations
diphthonged
diphthongic
diphthonging
diphthongisation
diphthongisations
diphthongise
diphthongised
diphthongises
diphthongising
diphthongization

Literary usage of Diphthong

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Transactions by Cambridge Philological Society (1899)
"The discussion of these questions throws some light upon the history of the Germanic diphthong au. 1. Germ, au was during the seventh century in ..."

2. Publications by English Dialect Society (1875)
"Before [r] the diphthong changes to [aaw] = (a«), see No. ... Diphthong UY=e/*. This is also the literary fine long T; it does not become [uy, e'-y] = [ga'i ..."

3. Studies in the word-play in Plautus. by Charles Jastrow Mendelsohn, University of Pennsylvania (1903)
"the diphthong is a falling diphthong. A similar influence can be conjectured in the ... 36), but it may also operate to change the stress of the diphthong. ..."

4. The Orthoëpist: A Pronouncing Manual Containing about Four Thousand Five by Alfred Ayres (1894)
"Dr. Kenrick gives no pronunciation to diphthong, but makes the h silent in ... Barclay pronounces the h in ophthalmic, but makes it either way in diphthong, ..."

5. A Greek Grammar for Schools and Colleges by Herbert Weir Smyth (1916)
"The rough breathing is pronounced as h, which is sounded before the vowel or diphthong ; the smooth breathing is not sounded. Breathings are written before ..."

6. The Hand Book of Standard Or American Phonography by Andrew Jackson Graham (1902)
"Names of the Diphthong-Signs.—The diphthong- signs should be named by the sounds they represent, and not "long ï, owe-eye, owe-you, e-double-you, ..."

7. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1887)
"furious contests which the difference of a single diphthong excited between the ... is inclined to forget i !.c difference of the important diphthong. ..."

8. Studies in Old English by Hector Munro Chadwick (1899)
"The discussion of these questions throws some light upon the history of the Germanic diphthong au. 1. Germ. au was during the seventh century in ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Diphthong on Dictionary.com!Search for Diphthong on Thesaurus.com!Search for Diphthong on Google!Search for Diphthong on Wikipedia!