sibilant
pronunciation
How to pronounce sibilant in British English:
UK [ˈsɪbɪlənt]
How to pronounce sibilant in American English:
US [ˈsɪbələnt]
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- Noun:
- a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)
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- Adjective:
- of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then')
Word Origin
- sibilant (adj.)
- 1660s, from Latin sibilantem (nominative sibilans), present participle of sibilare "to hiss, whistle," possibly of imitative origin (compare Greek sizein "to hiss," Lettish sikt "to hiss," Old Church Slavonic svistati "to hiss, whistle"). Related: Sibilance; sibilation (1620s).
- sibilant (n.)
- "speech sound having a hissing effect," 1772, from sibilant (adj.).
Example
- 1. Pronounce with an initial sibilant .
- 2. A short , sibilant sound produced by a puff .
- 3. This phenomenon shows that there is a leakage phenomenon of electric treasure that will eventually cause a dangerous short circuit occurs , if you pay careful attention to places where smoking will also hear there may be " -- " sibilant voice .
- 4. The negro met the first of the ladies at the front door and let them in , with their hushed , sibilant voices and their quick , curious glances , and then he disappeared .