diphthong Hear it!

diphthong definition

diph·thong (dif′t̸hôŋ; often dip′-)

noun

  1. Phonet. a complex vowel sound made by gliding continuously from the position for one vowel to that for another within the same syllable, as (o̵u) in down; (ī) in ride; (o̵i) in boy; (ō) in boat
  2. Printing either of the ligatures æ or œ, pronounced as diphthongs in classical Latin

Etymology: ME diptonge < LL diphthongus < Gr diphthongos < di-, two + phthongos, voice, sound < phthengesthai, to utter

Related Forms:

  • diphthongal diph·thon′·gal (-t̸hôŋ′gəl, -əl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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