Velar
/ˈviː.lər/noun
Relating to the soft palate or to a speech sound made by placing the back of the tongue against the soft palate.
Did you know?The Latin word velum meant “veil” or “curtain,” and anatomical velum became the name for the soft palate because it hangs like a small movable curtain.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
velum
“A veil, curtain, covering, or sail”
Late Latin
Latin
velum
“A veil-like anatomical structure, including the soft palate”
19th Century
New Latin
velaris
“Relating to the velum or soft palate”
19th Century
English
velar
“Relating to the soft palate”
Modern English
English
velar
“Describing speech sounds articulated with the back of the tongue against the soft palate”