fricative

[ frik-uh-tiv ]
/ ˈfrɪk ə tɪv /
Phonetics

adjective

(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

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

Origin of fricative

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

OTHER WORDS FROM fricative

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

Example sentences from the Web for fricative

British Dictionary definitions for fricative

fricative
/ (ˈfrɪkətɪv) /

noun

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

adjective

relating to or denoting a fricative

Word Origin for fricative

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