assibilate

[ uh-sib-uh-leyt ]

/ əˈsɪb əˌleɪt /

Phonetics

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verb (used with object), as·sib·i·lat·ed, as·sib·i·lat·ing.

to change into or pronounce with the accompaniment of a sibilant sound or sounds.

verb (used without object), as·sib·i·lat·ed, as·sib·i·lat·ing.

to change by assibilation.

to become a sibilant or a sound containing a sibilant.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of assibilate

1835–45; <Latin assībilātus murmured, whispered at, hissed (past participle of assībilāre). See as-, sibilate

OTHER WORDS FROM assibilate

as·sib·i·la·tion, nounun·as·sib·i·lat·ed, adjective

Words nearby assibilate

asseveration, assez, asshat, asshole, Asshur, assibilate, Assidean, assiduity, assiduous, assiduously, assign

British Dictionary definitions for assibilate

assibilate

/ (əˈsɪbɪˌleɪt) /

verb phonetics

(intr) (of a speech sound) to be changed into a sibilant

(tr) to pronounce (a speech sound) with or as a sibilant

Derived forms of assibilate

assibilation, noun

Word Origin for assibilate

C19: from Late Latin assībilāre to hiss at, from sībilāre to hiss; see sibilant

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