Background for obstruent
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obstruent

/ˈɑbstruənt/ /ˈəbˈstruənt/

Meanings
noun
A consonant sound formed by obstructing the airway, causing turbulence; a plosive, fricative or affricate.

Examples :

"The linguist explained that the sounds /p/, /s/, and /tʃ/ (as in "church") are all examples of an obstruent because they are produced by blocking or restricting the airflow. "
phonetics language linguistics sound

Related Words

Illustration fricative

fricative noun

/ˈfɹɪkətɪv/

Any of several sounds produced by air flowing through a constriction in the oral cavity and typically producing a sibilant, hissing, or buzzing quality; a fricative consonant.

"The "s" in "sun" is a fricative sound, created by forcing air through a narrow channel in your mouth. "

Illustration consonant

consonant noun

/ˈkɒn.sə.nənt/ /ˈkɑn.sə.nənt/

A sound that results from the passage of air through restrictions of the oral cavity; any sound that is not the dominant sound of a syllable, the dominant sound generally being a vowel.

"The "k" sound in "kite" is a consonant. "

Illustration especially

especially adverb

/əˈspɛʃ(ə)li/

(manner) In a special manner; specially.

"My sister is very helpful, especially when it comes to organizing things. "

Illustration examples

examples noun

/ɪɡˈzɑːmpl̩z/ /ɪɡˈzæmpl̩z/

Something that is representative of all such things in a group.

"Here are some examples of different types of birds: robins, eagles, and sparrows. "

Illustration restricting

restricting verb

/rɪˈstrɪktɪŋ/

To restrain within boundaries; to limit; to confine

"After suffering diahrroea, the patient was restricted to a diet of rice, cold meat, and yoghurt."

Illustration obstructs

obstructs verb

/əbˈstrʌkts/

To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle.

"The fallen tree obstructs the road, making it impossible to drive through. "

Illustration affricate

affricate noun

/ˈæfɹɪkeɪt/

A sound produced using a combination of a plosive and a fricative.

"The "ch" sound in the word "chair" is an affricate, combining a stop of air and a hissing sound. "

Illustration turbulence

turbulence noun

/ˈtɜːrbjələns/ /ˈtɜːbjʊləns/

The state or fact of being turbulent or agitated; tempestuousness, disturbance.

"The airplane experienced some turbulence on the flight, causing a few passengers to feel uneasy. "

Illustration explained

explained verb

/ɪkˈspleɪnd/

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

"To explain a chapter of the Bible."

Illustration obstruction

obstruction noun

/əbˈstɹʌk.ʃən/

The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.

"The fallen tree caused a major obstruction in the road, blocking traffic. "

Illustration linguist

linguist noun

/ˈliŋɡwɪst/

One who studies linguistics.

"My brother is a linguist; he studies how different languages are used in everyday conversations. "

Illustration obstructing

obstructing verb

/əbˈstrʌktɪŋ/

To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle.

"The fallen tree was obstructing the path to the school. "