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Implosive: meaning, definitions and examples

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implosive

 

[ ษชmหˆplษ™สŠsษชv ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

linguistics

Implosive refers to a type of consonantal sound that is produced by creating a closure in the vocal tract while simultaneously lowering the pressure in the oral cavity. This results in a unique airflow that is pulled inward rather than pushed outward, as is the case with more common stops. Implosives are relatively rare in the world's languages and can often be found in certain African language families. The characteristic sound is produced not only through vocal cord vibration but also through the sudden release of a closure in the oral space.

Examples of usage

  • The sounds /b/ and /d/ can be described as implosive in some dialects.
  • Implosives add a distinct phonetic quality to languages that use them.
  • Understanding implosive sounds is essential for accurate phonetic transcription.
  • The study of implosives reveals much about human speech production.

Translations

Translations of the word "implosive" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น implosivo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค†เค‚เคคเคฐเคฟเค• เคตเคฟเคธเฅเคซเฅ‹เคŸเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช implosiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ implosif

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั–ะผะฟะปะพะทะธะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ implozyjny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚คใƒณใƒ—ใƒญใƒผใ‚ทใƒ–

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท implosif

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ implosivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท implozif

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ž„ํ”Œ๋กœ์‹œ๋ธŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู†ูุฌุงุฑูŠ ุฏุงุฎู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ implozivnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ implozรญvny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ†…็ˆ†็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ imploziven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ innrรกsandi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะธะผะฟะปะพะทะธะฒั‚ั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒ›แƒžแƒšแƒแƒ–แƒ˜แƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ imploziv

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ implosivo

Word origin

The term 'implosive' originates from the field of phonetics and is constructed using the prefix 'in-' meaning 'inward' and the root word 'plosive' which refers to sounds produced by a sudden release of air. The prefix reflects the inward movement of air associated with these consonants. The use of 'implosive' can be traced back to the mid-20th century as researchers began to classify and describe diverse phonetic sounds across different languages more thoroughly. The concept gained traction when linguists analyzed the phonemes present in various African languages, particularly those of the Khoisan family. As the understanding of implosive sounds evolved, the term solidified its place in linguistic studies, helping to enhance the understanding of the complexity of human language and speech production.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,997, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.