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fricative
[ frik-uh-tiv ]
/ ˈfrɪk ə tɪv /
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adjective
(of a speech sound) characterized by audible friction produced by forcing the breath through a constricted or partially obstructed passage in the vocal tract; spirantal; spirant.
noun
Also called spirant. a fricative consonant, as (th), (v), or (h).
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Origin of fricative
First recorded in 1855–60; fricat(ion) + -ive
OTHER WORDS FROM fricative
non·fric·a·tive, adjective, nounun·fric·a·tive, adjectiveWords nearby fricative
Fribourg, fricandeau, fricando, fricassee, frication, fricative, Frick, fricking, FRICS, friction, frictional
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fricative in a sentence
Spirant, spī′rant, n. a consonant which is fricative or continuable—opp.
Instead of the former there is a g with “fricative” pronunciation, and as in High German the th has passed over into d.
Medial q is usually written (chi), representing the fricative pronunciation: Ealuin and similar.
The Central Eskimo|Franz Boas
British Dictionary definitions for fricative
fricative
/ (ˈfrɪkətɪv) /
noun
a continuant consonant produced by partial occlusion of the airstream, such as (f) or (z)
adjective
relating to or denoting a fricative
Word Origin for fricative
C19: from New Latin fricātivus, from Latin fricāre to rub
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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