iotacism

American  

[ahy-oh-tuh-siz-uhm] / aɪˈoʊ təˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. the conversion of other vowel sounds, especially in Modern Greek, into (ē), the sound of iota.

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iotacism British  

/ aɪˈəʊtəˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a tendency of vowels and diphthongs, esp in Modern Greek, to acquire the pronunciation of the vowel iota ( iː )

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Etymology

Origin of iotacism

1650–60; < Late Latin iōtacismus < Greek iōtakismós. See iota, -ac, -ism