lenis

American  

[lee-nis, ley-] / ˈli nɪs, ˈleɪ- /

adjective

1. 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, andzh ) are lenis in English, as compared with (p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, andsh ), which are fortis.

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noun

plural

lenes

1. a lenis consonant.

lenis British  

/ ˈliːnɪs /

adjective

1. (of a consonant) articulated with weak muscular tension

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noun

1. a consonant, such as English b or v, pronounced with weak muscular force

Etymology

Origin of lenis

First recorded in 1925–30; from Latin: “soft, mild, gentle”

Example Sentences

The latter valley in this area is inhabited by pocket gophers that belong to another subspecies, lenis.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Durrant, Stephen D.

For comparisons with Thomomys bottae lenis and contractus see accounts of those forms.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Durrant, Stephen D.

A. Di, quibus audaces amor est servare carinas Saevaque ventosi mulcere pericula ponti, Sternite molle fretum placidumque advertite votis Concilium, et lenis non obstrepat unda precanti: 5 Grande tuo rarumque damus, Neptune, profundo Depositum.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund

At present, tivius is isolated on the Ca�on Mountains in eastern Millard County, while the range of albicaudatus and contractus have been separated by that of lenis.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Durrant, Stephen D.

Large size is the distinctive feature of Thomomys bottae lenis.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Durrant, Stephen D.