lenition


le·nite

L0119250 (lə-nīt′)v. le·nit·ed, le·nit·ing, le·nites v.intr. To undergo an increase in sonority or become lenis. Said of consonant sounds, as when (p) changes to (b), (b) to (v), or (v) to (w).v.tr. To cause (a consonant sound) to lenite.
le·ni′tion (-nĭsh′ən) n.

lenition

(ləˈnɪʃən) n (Phonetics & Phonology) the weakening of the articulation of a consonant sound, esp in a Celtic language

le•ni•tion

(lɪˈnɪʃ ən)

n. a phonological process that weakens consonant articulation at the ends of syllables or between vowels, causing the consonant to become voiced or pronounced as a fricative. [1910–15; < Latin lēnī(re) (see lenient) + -tion]
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