Definition

A type of consonant sound that is produced without vocal cord vibration and without a burst of breath, often found in certain languages.

Example

In ancient Greek, the sound represented by 'tenuis' is crucial for proper pronunciation.

Conversation

Have you ever studied about tenuis sounds in linguistics?

Not really, but I've heard of them before.

They're interesting because they include voiceless stops, right?

Yeah, exactly! It's fascinating how different languages use them.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tenuis → It is derived from Latin 'tenuis' (meaning thin or slender). The word 'tenuis' refers to something that is thin or delicate in nature.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'thin' or 'slender' — that's what 'tenuis' means.

Visually Confused Words