Category:Spirant

Spi"rant, n. Etym: [l. spirans, -antis, p. pr. of spirare to breathe. See spirit.] (phon.)

Defn: a term used differently by different authorities; -- by some as Equivalent to fricative, -- that is, as including all the continuous Consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the further exception, By others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by others Limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of german ch, -- Thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and Semivowels. See guide to pronunciation, §§ 197-208.