assibilate

[uh-sib-uh-leyt]Phonetics

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.

Origin of assibilate

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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for assibilate

assibilate

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 Formsassibilation, 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