fortis

[fawr-tis]

adjective

1. pronounced with considerable muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in a strong fricative or explosive sound. In stressed position (p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, sh) and sometimes (h) are fortis in English as compared with (b, d, g, j, v, th̸, z, and zh), which are lenis.

noun

plural

fortes 

1. a fortis consonant.

fortis

/ ˈfɔːtɪs /

adjective

1. (of a consonant) articulated with considerable muscular tension of the speech organs or with a great deal of breath pressure or plosion

noun

1. a consonant, such as English p or f , pronounced with considerable muscular force or breath pressure

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortis¹

1905–10; < Latin: strong, powerful, firm

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortis¹

Latin: strong