lenis
pronounced with relatively weak muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in weak sound effect: in stressed or unstressed position, (b, d, g, j, v, th̸, z, and zh) are lenis in English, as compared with (p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, and sh), which are fortis.: Compare fortis (def. 1).
a lenis consonant.
Origin of lenis
1Words Nearby lenis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lenis in a sentence
The modern Cubans pronounce it like the English w with the spiritus lenis.
The Arawack Language of Guiana in its Linguistic and Ethnological Relations | Daniel G. BrintonNutritur vento, vento restinguitur ignis: / lenis alit flammas, grandior aura necat!
In six other characters studied they most closely approach lenis to which they are here referred.
The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 | Stephen D. DurrantIntergradation with lenis is also shown in some specimens by the widely spreading zygomatic arches.
The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 | Stephen D. DurrantThe latter valley in this area is inhabited by pocket gophers that belong to another subspecies, lenis.
The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 | Stephen D. Durrant
British Dictionary definitions for lenis
/ (ˈliːnɪs) phonetics /
(of a consonant) articulated with weak muscular tension
a consonant, such as English b or v, pronounced with weak muscular force
Origin of lenis
1- Compare fortis
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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