continuant

/kənˈtɪnj(ʊ)ənt/

Other forms: continuants

Definitions of continuant

1. adjective

   of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then')
   synonyms: fricative, sibilant, spirant, strident

   soft

   (of speech sounds); produced with the back of the tongue raised toward the hard palate; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as `s' and `sh')
2. noun

   consonant articulated by constricting (but not closing) the vocal tract
   synonyms: continuant consonant

   types:

   fricative, fricative consonant, spirant

   a continuant consonant produced by breath moving against a narrowing of the vocal tract

   sibilant, sibilant consonant

   a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)

   type of:

   obstruent

   a consonant that is produced with a partial or complete blockage of the airflow from the lungs through the nose or mouth