semivowel

[sem-ee-vou-uhl]

noun

1. Phonetics.,  a speech sound of vowel quality used as a consonant, as (w) in wet or (y) in yet.

semivowel

/ ˈsɛmɪˌvaʊəl /

noun

1. a vowel-like sound that acts like a consonant, in that it serves the same function in a syllable carrying the same amount of prominence as a consonant relative to a true vowel, the nucleus of the syllable. In English and many other languages the chief semivowels are (w) in well and (j), represented as y, in yell

2. a frictionless continuant classified as one of the liquids; (l) or (r)

Word History and Origins

Origin of semivowel¹

1520–30; semi- + vowel; replacing semivocal < Latin sēmivocālis half vowel

Example Sentences

The orthography also, in its more sparing use of the semivowels to indicate the vowels u and i, resembles that of the Bible.

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In these words the i represents the semivowel y, into which the original g was changed.

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All other consonants are semivowels, and are pronounced with a continuous sound.

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The consonants are divided, with respect to their powers, into semivowels and mutes.

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U and V are now, however, differentiated, U being used only as a vowel or semivowel, and V only as a consonant.

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