Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [lee-nis, ley-]
- /ˈli nɪs, ˈleɪ-/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [lee-nis, ley-]
- /ˈli nɪs, ˈleɪ-/
Definitions of lenis word
- adjective lenis pronounced with relatively weak muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in weak sound effect: in stressed or unstressed position, (b, d, g, j, v, th̸, z, and zh) are lenis in English, as compared with (p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, and sh), which are fortis. Compare fortis (def 1). 1
- noun plural lenis a lenis consonant. 1
- noun lenis (of a consonant, in particular a voiced consonant) weakly articulated, especially denoting the less or least strongly articulated of two or more similar consonants. 1
- adjective lenis (of a consonant) articulated with weak muscular tension 0
- noun lenis a consonant, such as English b or v, pronounced with weak muscular force 0
- adjective lenis articulated with little muscle tension and little or no aspiration, as (b) and (d) 0
Information block about the term
Origin of lenis
First appearance:
before 1925 One of the 11% newest English words
1925-30; < Latin: soft, mild, gentle
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Lenis
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
lenis popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 74% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 73% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.