spirant
[ spahy-ruh nt ]
/ ˈspaɪ rənt /
noun
adjective
Also spi·ran·tal
[spahy-ran-tl] /spaɪˈræn tl/.
fricative.
Words nearby spirant
spiral valve,
spiral vein of modiolus,
spiral-bound,
spiralize,
spiralizer,
spirant,
spirantize,
spire,
spirea,
spired,
spirelet
Example sentences from the Web for spirant
Spirant, v like the ou in French oui, but later approximating to the w heard in some parts of Germany, Ed.
When the lips are not tightly closed the sound produced is not a stop, but a spirant like the English w.
Spirant, spī′rant, n. a consonant which is fricative or continuable—opp.
In twien b 210 from twiga the spirant has disappeared, as in monie b 168.
British Dictionary definitions for spirant
Word Origin for spirant
C19: from Latin
spīrāns breathing, from
spīrāre to breathe