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Webster 1913 Edition
Vowel
Vow′el
,Noun.
[F.
voyelle
, or an OF. form without y, L. vocalis
(sc. littera
), from vocalis
sounding, from vox
, vocis
, a voice, sound. See Vocal
.] (Phon.)
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. ☞ 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.
Vow′el
,Adj.
Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.
Webster 1828 Edition
Vowel
VOWEL
, n.1.
In grammer, a simple sound; a sound utterd by simply opening the mouth or organs; as the sound of a, e, o.2.
The letter or character which represents a simple sound.VOWEL
,Adj.
Definition 2024
vowel
vowel
English
Noun
vowel (plural vowels)
- (phonetics) A sound produced by the vocal cords with relatively little restriction of the oral cavity, forming the prominent sound of a syllable.
- (orthography) A letter representing the sound of vowel; in English, the vowels are a, e, i, o and u, and sometimes y.
Antonyms
Related terms
Translations
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