Definition of spirant Spirant

spi•rant

We found 6 definitions of spirant from 5 different sources.

What does spirant mean?

Adjective
spirant - of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then')
		fricative, continuant, sibilant, strident
		soft not brilliant or glaring; "the moon cast soft shadows"; "soft pastel colors"; "subdued lighting"
Noun
spirant - a continuant consonant produced by breath moving against a narrowing of the vocal tract
		fricative consonant, fricative
		continuant, continuant consonant consonant articulated by constricting (but not closing) the vocal tract

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spirant (n.)
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.

spirant
spī′rant, n. a consonant which is fricative or continuable—opp. to explosive, esp. v and f, th, dh; by others made to include the sibilants, and the semi-vowels w and y