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Webster 1913 Edition
Diphthong
Diph′thong
(?; 115, 277)
, Noun.
[L.
diphthongus
, Gr. [GREEK]; δι-
= δίσ-
twice + [GREEK] voice, sound, fr. [GREEK] to utter a sound: cf. F. diphthongue
.] (Orthoëpy)
(a)
A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; – called a
proper diphthong
. (b)
A vowel digraph; a union of two vowels in the same syllable, only one of them being sounded; as, ai in rain, eo in people; – called an
improper diphthong
. Diph′thong
,Verb.
T.
To form or pronounce as a diphthong; diphthongize.
[R.]