lenis
[lee-nis, ley-]Phonetics
- 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).
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- a lenis consonant.
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Origin of lenis
1925–30; < Latin: soft, mild, gentle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for lenis
Historical Examples
Intergradation with lenis is also shown in some specimens by the widely spreading zygomatic arches.
The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1Stephen D. Durrant
The 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. 1Stephen D. Durrant
Nutritur vento, vento restinguitur ignis: / Lenis alit flammas, grandior aura necat!
lenis
- (of a consonant) articulated with weak muscular tension
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- a consonant, such as English b or v, pronounced with weak muscular force
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Compare fortis
Word Origin
C19: from Latin: gentle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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