fortition

[fawr-tish-uhn]

noun

1. Phonetics.,  a phonological process that strengthens consonant articulation at the beginnings of syllables, causing devoicing or the formation of stops.

2. Linguistics.,  a type of Celtic mutation that derives historically from phonological fortition.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortition¹

fort(is) + -ition, on the model of lenition

Example Sentences

Fortition, for-tish′un, n. principle of trusting to chance.

From Project Gutenberg