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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.
Close vowel
.
See under
Close
,
Adj.
Vowel point
.
See under
Point
,
Noun.

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.
Pertaining to a vowel; vocal.

Definition 2024


vowel

vowel

English

Noun

vowel (plural vowels)

  1. (phonetics) A sound produced by the vocal cords with relatively little restriction of the oral cavity, forming the prominent sound of a syllable.
  2. (orthography) A letter representing the sound of vowel; in English, the vowels are a, e, i, o and u, and sometimes y.

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