Close vowel

Close vowel
Vowel Vow"el, n. [F. voyelle, or an OF. form without y, L. vocalis (sc. littera), from vocalis sounding, from vox, vocis, a voice, sound. See {Vocal}.] (Phon.) A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a {consonant} in that the latter, whether made with or without vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or character which represents such a sound. See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 5, 146-149. [1913 Webster]

Note: In the English language, the written vowels are a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes w and y. The spoken vowels are much more numerous. [1913 Webster]

{Close vowel}. See under {Close}, a.

{Vowel point}. See under {Point}, n. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Close vowel — Close Close (kl[=o]s), a. [Compar. {Closer} (kl[=o] s[ e]r); superl. {Closest}.] [Of. & F. clos, p. p. of clore. See {Close}, v. t.] 1. Shut fast; closed; tight; as, a close box. [1913 Webster] From a close bower this dainty music flowed. Dryden …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • close vowel — UK [ˌkləʊs ˈvaʊəl] US [ˌkloʊs ˈvaʊəl] noun [countable] [singular close vowel plural close vowels] linguistics a vowel sound made with your tongue near the top of your mouth …   Useful english dictionary

  • Close vowel — IPA vowel chart Front Near ​front Central Near ​back …   Wikipedia

  • close vowel — UK [ˌkləʊs ˈvaʊəl] / US [ˌkloʊs ˈvaʊəl] noun [countable] Word forms close vowel : singular close vowel plural close vowels linguistics a vowel sound made with your tongue near the top of your mouth …   English dictionary

  • close vowel — close vow|el [ ,klous vauəl ] noun count LINGUISTICS a vowel sound made with your tongue moved near the top of your mouth …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Near-close vowel — IPA vowel chart Front Near ​front Central Near ​back …   Wikipedia

  • Close front rounded vowel — y Image …   Wikipedia

  • Close-mid central rounded vowel — ɵ Image …   Wikipedia

  • Close-mid central unrounded vowel — ɘ Image …   Wikipedia

  • Close-mid front unrounded vowel — e Image …   Wikipedia

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