Consonant
/ˈkɒn.sə.nənt/noun
A basic speech sound in many languages that is produced with a complete or partial closure of the vocal tract.
Did you know?The word 'consonant' comes from a term meaning 'sounding together', suggesting a mystical harmony in language that connects us all.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*só(n)
“sound, noise”
Latin
Latin
consonantem
“sounding together, agreeing”
Old French
Old French
consonant
“speaking together, agreeing in sound”
Middle English
Middle English
consonant
“a letter or sound that accompanies a vowel, part of the speech system”
Modern English
English
consonant
“a speech sound that is articulated with partial or complete closure of the vocal tract.”