ablaut

[ ahb-lout, ab-; German ahp-lout ]
/ ˈɑb laʊt, ˈæb-; German ˈɑp laʊt /

noun Grammar.

(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.

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of ablaut

1840–50; < German, equivalent to ab- off + Laut sound

Words nearby ablaut

ablate, ablation, ablative, ablative absolute, ablator, ablaut, ablaze, able, able rating, able seaman, able-bodied
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Example sentences from the Web for ablaut

  • The strong verbs form their preterite (originally the perfect) and past participle by means of ablaut ( 12).

    A Middle High German Primer|Joseph Wright

British Dictionary definitions for ablaut

ablaut
/ (ˈæblaʊt, German ˈaplaut) /

noun

linguistics vowel gradation, esp in Indo-European languagesSee gradation (def. 5)

Word Origin for ablaut

German, coined 1819 by Jakob Grimm from ab off + Laut sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012