ablaut
(in Indo-European languages) regular alternation in the internal phonological structure of a word element, especially alternation of a vowel, that is coordinated with a change in grammatical function or combination, as in English sing, sang, sung, song; apophony.
Origin of ablaut
1Words Nearby ablaut
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use ablaut in a sentence
The vowels vary within certain series of related vowels, called ablaut-series.
A Middle High German Primer | Joseph WrightThe strong verbs form their preterite (originally the perfect) and past participle by means of ablaut ( 12).
A Middle High German Primer | Joseph WrightThe non-reduplicated verbs are divided into six classes according to the six ablaut-series ( 12).
A Middle High German Primer | Joseph WrightThe verbs of this class belong to the sixth ablaut-series ( 12), and accordingly have a in the present; uo in the pret.
A Middle High German Primer | Joseph WrightThe verbs of this class belong to the fourth ablaut-series ( 12).
A Middle High German Primer | Joseph Wright
British Dictionary definitions for ablaut
/ (ˈæblaʊt, German ˈaplaut) /
linguistics vowel gradation, esp in Indo-European languages: See gradation (def. 5)
Origin of ablaut
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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