articulator

American  

[ahr-tik-yuh-ley-ter] / ɑrˈtɪk yəˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that articulates.

2. Phonetics. a movable organ, as the tongue, lips, or uvula, the action of which is involved in the production of speech sounds.

3. Dentistry. a mechanical device, representing the jaws, to which casts may be attached: used in the making of dentures.

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articulator British  

/ ɑːˈtɪkjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that articulates

2. phonetics any vocal organ that takes part in the production of a speech sound. Such organs are of two types: those that can move, such as the tongue, lips, etc ( active articulators ), and those that remain fixed, such as the teeth, the hard palate, etc ( passive articulators )

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Etymology

Origin of articulator

First recorded in 1770–80; articulate + -or ²

Example Sentences

“Even a good articulator like me has trouble renouncing the name,” he said in one ad.

From Washington Post • Nov. 9, 2020

He says Haley “has earned a reputation as a forthright and compelling articulator of America’s role.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 18, 2018

Mr. Farage, he said, “has become a very good articulator for what a certain section of British society feels and thinks.”

From New York Times • May 1, 2015

Hoke is not a great articulator on his best day and has fumbled words along with head-coaching protocol.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2014

The tongue, lips, teeth, and palate for an articulator.

From Resonance in Singing and Speaking by Fillebrown, Thomas