glottis

American  

[glot-is] / ˈglɒt ɪs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

glottises, glottides

1. the opening at the upper part of the larynx, between the vocal cords.

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glottis British  

/ ɡlɒˈtɪdɪən, ˈɡlɒtɪs /

noun

1. the vocal apparatus of the larynx, consisting of the two true vocal cords and the opening between them

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glottis Scientific  

/ glŏt′ĭs /

plural

glottises

1. The part of the larynx that contains the vocal cords and the space between them.

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Other Word Forms

• glottidean adjective

Etymology

Origin of glottis

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek ( Attic ) glōttís, derivative of glôtta tongue (Ionic glôssa; gloss ² )

Compare meaning

How does glottis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• glottis vs. epiglottis

Example Sentences

It’s actually a glottal sound, meaning it emanates from the glottis, in the back of the throat — a muscle English speakers don’t get to exercise much.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2022

He’s seen every affliction: bacteria, broken bones, even a rare case of balloon syndrome, in which a damaged glottis caused a hedgehog to inflate to the size of a beach ball.

From The Guardian • Aug. 5, 2018

Her dentist father gave the anatomically correct translation: Close off your glottis.

From Washington Times • Jun. 12, 2016

When in the “closed” position, the unattached end of the epiglottis rests on the glottis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In 1844 Warden of Edinburgh reported two cases in which he said he had been able to make "satisfactory ocular inspection of diseases affecting the glottis," by using two prisms of flint glass.

From Garcia the Centenarian And His Times Being a Memoir of Manuel Garcia's Life and Labours for the Advancement of Music and Science by Mackinlay, M. (Malcolm) Sterling