lenitev.
/lᵻˈnʌɪt/, /ˈliːnʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈliˌnaɪt/ Phonetics.
a. transitive. To make lenis in articulation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > consonant > make consonantal [verb (transitive)] > make lenis
lower1800
mortify1808
lenate1909
lenite1912
1912 [see lenited adj. at Derivatives].
1912 F. W. O'Connell Gram. Old Irish 61 The absolute forms of the copula lenite the following anlaut.
1953 K. Jackson Lang. & Hist. in Early Brit. 550 The Bretons lenited the consonants.
b. intransitive. Of consonants: to become lenis.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > consonant > become consonantal [verb (intransitive)] > become lenis
lenite1953
1953 K. Jackson Lang. & Hist. in Early Brit. 556 British c, lenited to g.
1971 Canad. Jrnl. Linguistics 17 20 Affrication of the yod element would create a consonant cluster which would not lenite.
Derivatives
ˈlenitable adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > consonant > [adjective] > lenis
lenited1912
lenated1928
lenis1929
lenitable1953
1953 K. Jackson Lang. & Hist. in Early Brit. 474 The consonants ordinarily regarded in Breton as lenitable.
1967 K. H. Jackson Hist. Phonol. Breton 309 The geminates, which were not lenitable, constitute a special case.
ˈlenited adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > consonant > [adjective] > lenis
lenited1912
lenated1928
lenis1929
lenitable1953
1912 F. W. O'Connell Gram. Old Irish 5 A true lenited f occurs in Modern Irish and is pronounced h.
1972 H. Kurath Stud. Area Ling. ix. 153 It should be further noted that ‘lenited’ /t, k/ appear as the voiced plosives /d, g/ only in the British branch of Insular Celtic.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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