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Definition of Spirant
1. Noun. A continuant consonant produced by breath moving against a narrowing of the vocal tract.
Generic synonyms: Continuant, Continuant Consonant
Specialized synonyms: Sibilant, Sibilant Consonant
2. Adjective. Of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as 'f', 's', 'z', or 'th' in both 'thin' and 'then').
Similar to: Soft
Derivative terms: Continuance, Sibilant, Sibilate, Sibilate, Sibilate
Definition of Spirant
1. n. A term used differently by different authorities; -- by some as equivalent to fricative, - - that is, as including all the continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the further exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by others limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of German ch, -- thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and semivowels. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 197-208.
Definition of Spirant
1. Noun. (context: linguistics archaic) A fricative. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Spirant
1. a speech sound produced by the forcing of breath through a narrow passage [n -S]
Medical Definition of Spirant
1. A term used differently by different authorities; by some as equivalent to fricative, that is, as including all the continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the further exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by others limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of German ch, thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and semivowels. Origin: L. Spirans, -antis, p. Pr. Of spirare to breathe. See Spirit. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Spirant
Literary usage of Spirant
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. A Grammar of the German Language: Designed for a Thoro and Practical Study by George Oliver Curme (1922)
"Initial spirant g survives before front vowels, as in yellow (German gelb). ...
In NG and MG popular speech g is still in most positions a spirant. ..."
2. The Principles of Sound and Inflexion as Illustrated in the Greek and Latin by John Edward King, Christopher Cookson (1888)
"The soft spirant г appeared originally before a following The soft media or
aspirated media. ... spirant j, but it is not possible to make any distinction ..."
3. History of the New World Called America by Edward John Payne (1899)
"The most striking characteristic of American vocalisation, spirant next to the
... The spirant lingual TH ie not wholly absent from the American languages. ..."
4. A Short Manual of Comparative Philology for Classical Students by Peter Giles (1901)
"As has been spirant. already mentioned, original z occurred only in combination
with voiced sounds; hence s and z must be considered together. ..."
5. The Works of William Robertson: To which is Prefixed an Account of His Life by William Robertson, Alexander Stewart (1820)
"... according to the witticism of a German lawyer, spirant, sed nunquam expirant.
Such delays are unavoidable in a court composed of members named by many ..."
6. A Short Manual of Comparative Philology for Classical Students by Peter Giles (1895)
"spirant sound, so that, in time, one or both elements is reduced to -s-; Greek
IO-TO'S, ... spirant ..."
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