devocalize

especially British, de·vo·cal·ise

[dee-voh-kuh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

Phonetics.

devocalized, devocalizing 

1. devoice.

2. to convert (a speech sound) from a vowel to a glide.

Other Word Forms

• devocalization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devocalize¹

First recorded in 1875–80; de- + vocalize

Example Sentences

The object was to devocalize the dogs so that their howls would not disturb the patients in the other parts of the hospital.

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