How Do You Spell OBSTRUENT?

Pronunciation: [ɒbstɹˈuːnt] (IPA)

Obstruent is a term used in linguistics to describe a consonant sound that has a high degree of obstruction in the vocal tract, causing a blockage or closure of airflow. The IPA phonetic transcription for the word "obstruent" is /əbˈstruənt/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa vowel sound, followed by a voiced bilabial stop (/b/). The second syllable starts with a voiceless alveolar fricative (/s/), followed by a voiced alveolar stop (/t/), and ends with a nasally pronounced consonant (/n/).

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OBSTRUENT Meaning and Definition

  1. Obstruent is a linguistic term used to describe a group of consonant sounds that are articulated with a high degree of obstruction in the airflow. These sounds are characterized by a total or partial closure or constriction of the vocal tract, resulting in a significant degree of turbulence and friction during their production.

    Obstruents can be further categorized into two subgroups: stops and fricatives.

    Stops, also known as plosives, are sounds where the airflow is completely blocked for a brief moment before being released suddenly. Examples include the sounds /p/, /t/, and /k/. Stops are produced by building up pressure behind the point of closure and then releasing it quickly.

    Fricatives, on the other hand, involve a narrow constriction in the vocal tract that allows a continuous passage of air, creating a turbulent airflow. Examples of fricatives include the sounds /f/, /s/, and /ʃ/. Fricatives are produced by directing the airflow through a narrow channel, causing the air particles to collide and create audible friction.

    The term "obstruent" is used to highlight the obstructive nature of these sounds, which distinguishes them from other consonant groups such as nasals or liquids. Obstruents play a significant role in the phonological systems of languages and contribute to their overall sound patterns and speech characteristics.

  2. 1. Obstructing, blocking advance. 2. An agent that obstructs or prevents a normal discharge, especially a discharge from the bowels.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Blocking up or hindering.
    • Anything which obstructs the natural passages of the body.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OBSTRUENT

Etymology of OBSTRUENT

The word "obstruent" comes from the Latin word "obstruens", which is the present participle form of the verb "obstruere". "Obstruere" is a combination of the prefix "ob-" (meaning "against" or "in the way") and the verb "struere" (meaning "to build" or "to construct"). In Latin, "obstruere" was used to describe building a barrier or obstruction. Over time, the word "obstruent" was adopted into English as a term in linguistics to refer to a class of speech sounds that employ some form of obstruction in the vocal tract, such as stops, fricatives, and affricates.

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