ablauts

/ˈæblaʊts/

Meanings

noun

The substitution of one root vowel for another, thus indicating a corresponding modification of use or meaning; vowel permutation; as, get and got; sing and song; hang and hung, distinct from the phonetic influence of a succeeding vowel.

Examples :

"The English verb conjugations "swim, swam, swum" provide a clear example of ablauts. "

verb

(of a vowel-containing linguistic component) To undergo a change of vowel.

Examples :

"In English class, we learned that the vowel in the word "sing" ablauts to "sang" in the past tense and then to "sung" in the past participle. "

language linguistics phonetics grammar word

verb

To cause to change a vowel.

Examples :

"The language teacher ablauts "sing" to "sang" when explaining irregular verb conjugations to her students. "

language linguistics phonetics

Related Words

modification noun

/ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ /ˌmɑdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

The form of existence belonging to a particular object, entity etc.; a mode of being.

"The modification of the family's routine, with evening meals moved to 7 pm, improved everyone's sleep schedule. "

linguistic adjective

/lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk/

Of or relating to language.

"The professor's lectures on linguistic patterns of English helped us understand the complexities of grammar. "

participle noun

/pɑːˈtɪsɪpəl/ /ˈpɑɹtɪˌsɪpəl/

(grammar) A form of a verb that may function as an adjective or noun. English has two types of participles: the present participle and the past participle. In other languages, there are others, such as future, perfect, and future perfect participles.

"In her English class, Maria learned that a participle, like "running" in "running shoes," can act as an adjective. "

permutation noun

/ˌpɜːrmjʊˈteɪʃən/ /ˌpɜːmjəˈteɪʃən/

One of the ways something exists, or the ways a set of objects can be ordered.

"Which permutation for completing our agenda items makes the most sense?"

corresponding verb

/ˌkɒɹəˈspɒndɪŋ/ /ˌkɑɹəˈspɑndɪŋ/

(constructed with to) To be equivalent or similar in character, quantity, quality, origin, structure, function etc.

"The student's performance on the math test corresponded to the level of effort she put in during the week. "

succeeding verb

/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/

To follow in order; to come next after; hence, to take the place of.

"Autumn succeeds summer."

containing verb

/kənˈteɪnɪŋ/

To hold inside.

"The box containing my old toys was stored in the attic. "

explaining verb

/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/ /ɛkˈspleɪnɪŋ/

To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

"To explain a chapter of the Bible."

conjugations noun

/ˌkɑndʒəˈɡeɪʃənz/ /ˌkɑndʒʊˈɡeɪʃənz/

The coming together of things; union.

"The conjugations of flour, eggs, and sugar created a delicious cake batter. "

influence noun

/ˈɪn.flu.əns/

The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.

"I have absolutely no influence over him."

indicating verb

/ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪŋ/

To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known.

"The guard blew his whistle to indicate imminent departure."

substitution noun

/ˌsʌbstɪˈtuːʃən/ /ˌsʌbstəˈtuːʃən/

The act of substituting or the state of being substituted.

"The substitution of the teacher for the week was announced on the school website. "