Plosive
/ˈploʊ.sɪv/noun
A speech sound made by stopping airflow and releasing it suddenly, like /p/, /t/, or /k/.
Did you know?Plosive comes from Latin *plōdere* / *plausus*, “to strike, clap,” the same ancient root behind words for applause and public acclaim—sound as impact.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*plēu- / *plaud-
“An ancient root connected with striking, clapping, or beating.”
Latin
Latin
plaudere
“To strike, beat, clap, or applaud.”
Late Latin
Latin
plosivus
“Pertaining to a bursting or striking sound.”
19th Century
English
plosive
“A term in phonetics for a consonant made by complete closure and sudden release of the breath.”
Modern English
English
plosive
“A stop consonant produced with a burst of air on release.”