Thesaurus: vowel

Related headwords

Definitions

1. n. A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a consonant in that the latter, whether made with or without vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or character which represents such a sound. See Guide to Pronunciation, // 5, 146-149.
2. a. Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.
3. n. a speech sound made with the vocal tract open
4. n. a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken vowel
5. A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a consonant in that the latter, whether made with or without vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or character which represents such a sound. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 5, 146-149. Note: In the English language, the written vowels are a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes w and y. The spoken vowels are much more numerous. Close vowel. See under Close, a. -- Vowel point. See under Point, n. Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.
6. A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonancein the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving toeach several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound ofspeech; -- distinguished from a consonant in that the latter, whethermade with or without vocality, derives its character in every casefrom some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, aletter or character which represents such a sound. See Guide toPronunciation, §§ 5, 146-149.
7. n:100 n. a speech sound made with the vocal tract open n. a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken vowel