The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
semivowel — [sem′i vou΄əl] n. Phonet. a vowel like sound occurring in consonantal positions in the same syllable with a true vowel, characterized by brief duration and rapid change from one position of articulation to another [the English glides (w) and (y)… … English World dictionary
Semivowel — Manners of articulation Obstruent Plosive (occlusive) Affricate Fricative Sibilant Sonorant Nasal Flap/Tap Approximant … Wikipedia
semivowel — noun Date: 1530 1. a speech sound (as y, w, or r) that has the articulation of a vowel but that is shorter in duration and is treated as a consonant in syllabication 2. a letter representing a semivowel … New Collegiate Dictionary
semivowel — noun a) A sound in speech which has some qualities of a consonant and some qualities of a vowel b) A letter which represents a semivowel sound, such as w or y in English. Syn: glide, semiconsonant … Wiktionary
semivowel — /sem ee vow euhl/, n. Phonet. a speech sound of vowel quality used as a consonant, as /w/ in wet or /y/ in yet. [1520 30; SEMI + VOWEL; r. semivocal < L semivocalis half vowel] * * * … Universalium
semivowel — sem|i|vow|el [ semi,vauəl ] noun count LINGUISTICS a speech sound that sounds like a vowel but is a consonant, for example w … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
semivowel — n. speech sound which has the articulation of a vowel but is treated as a consonant (Phonetics) … English contemporary dictionary
semivowel — noun a speech sound intermediate between a vowel and a consonant, e.g. w or y … English new terms dictionary
semivowel — semi·vowel … English syllables
semivowel — sem•i•vow•el [[t]ˈsɛm ɪˌvaʊ əl[/t]] n. phn a speech sound of vowel quality used as a consonant, as (w) in wet or (y) in yet[/ex] • Etymology: 1520–30 … From formal English to slang
