consonant etymology

Etymology:

The word "consonant" derives from the Latin word "consonans," which means "sounding together." It is derived from the verb "consonare," which means "to sound with" or "to be in harmony."

Meaning:

A consonant is a speech sound that cannot be pronounced on its own and requires the presence of a vowel to produce a syllable. Consonants are produced by obstructing or partially obstructing the flow of air from the lungs and modifying it in some way (e.g., by vibrating vocal cords, creating friction, or releasing a puff of air).

Origin:

The concept of consonants and vowels has been recognized in linguistic studies since ancient times. Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Dionysius Thrax, identified and categorized the different types of speech sounds, including consonants and vowels.

The term "consonant" was first used in the 4th century BC by the Greek grammarian Dionysius Thrax. He classified speech sounds into three categories: vowels, consonants, and diphthongs. Consonants were defined as sounds that could not be pronounced without the addition of a vowel.

Over time, the definition of consonants has been refined and expanded. Linguists now recognize various types of consonants, each with its own distinct characteristics and manner of production.

consonant relate terms

  • consonance

    Etymology Latin consonantia from consonare meaning to sound together From con mea

  • consonant

    Etymology The word consonant derives from the Latin word consonans which means sou

  • assonance

    Etymology Assonance is derived from the Latin word assonantia which itself comes from

  • consonant

    Etymology The word consonant derives from the Latin word consonans which means sou

  • dissonant

    Etymology Dissonant derives from the Latin word dissonus meaning sounding harshly

  • sonant

    Etymology The word sonant is derived from the Latin word sonans meaning sounding

  • sonata

    Etymology and Meaning of Sonata The term sonata derives from the Italian word sonar

  • sone

    Etymology The word sone has the following etymological origin Middle English sone

  • sonic

    Etymology The word sonic originates from the Latin word sonus meaning sound Mean

  • sonnet

    Etymology The word sonnet derives from the Occitan word sonet or sonet meaning li

  • sonogram

    Etymology Sono Latin meaning sound gram Greek meaning writing or record

  • sonorous

    Etymology Latin sonorus Proto Indo European swen to sound to ring Meaning P

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • swan

    Etymology The word swan comes from the Middle English word swane which is derived f

  • unison

    Etymology From Middle English unison from Old French unison from Latin unisonus from

  • vowel

    Etymology The word vowel is derived from the Latin word vox meaning voice This i

  • agreeable

    Etymology The word agreeable comes from the Old French word agreable which in turn

  • conscionable

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word conscientia meaning conscience Conscientia

  • darling

    Etymology The word darling is derived from the Old English verb deorling meaning t

  • republican

    Etymology The word republican derives from the Latin res publica which means publi

  • marsh

    Etymology The word marsh comes from the Old English word mersc which originally mea

  • medlar

    Etymology and Origin The word medlar is derived from the Old French word mesle whic

  • dental

    Etymology The term dental is derived from the Latin word dens plural dentes me

  • lingual

    Etymology Lingua Latin Tongue or language al suffix Pertaining to Meaning Li

  • ravel

    Etymology The word ravel derives from the Middle English word ravelen which in turn