lenis


le·nis

L0119200 (lē′nĭs, lā′-)adj. Articulated with relatively low pressure of the airstream below the glottis, as English (b) and (d) compared with (p) and (t).
[Latin lēnis, soft; see lē- in Indo-European roots.]

lenis

(ˈliːnɪs) phoneticsadj (Phonetics & Phonology) (of a consonant) articulated with weak muscular tensionn, pl lenes (ˈliːniːz) (Phonetics & Phonology) a consonant, such as English b or v, pronounced with weak muscular force[C19: from Latin: gentle]

le•nis

(ˈli nɪs, ˈleɪ-)

adj., n., pl. -nes (-niz) adj. 1. (of a consonant sound) pronounced with relatively weak muscular tension and breath pressure, as the sounds (b, d, g, j, v, t, z, zh) in English. Compare fortis. n. 2. a lenis consonant. [1925–30; < Latin: soft, mild, gentle]