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Velar: meaning, definitions and examples

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velar

 

[ ˈviːlɑːr ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

phonetics study

The term 'velar' refers to consonants produced with the back of the tongue against the soft palate. This includes sounds such as [k] and [g] found in various languages. Velar sounds are important in many phonetic contexts and can significantly affect the phonological structure of a language.

Synonyms

back, palatal, soft-palate

Examples of usage

  • The 'k' sound in 'cat' is a velar consonant.
  • In some dialects, the velar nasal sound appears at the end of words.
  • Linguists analyze velar sounds to understand language variation.
Context #2 | Noun

anatomy

In anatomy, 'velar' can also refer to anything related to the soft palate in the mouth. The soft palate plays a crucial role in speech and swallowing, influencing how sounds are articulated.

Synonyms

soft-palate, velum

Examples of usage

  • The velar area affects sound production in many languages.
  • Issues with the velar region can lead to speech difficulties.
  • The soft palate closes off the nasal cavity during swallowing.

Translations

Translations of the word "velar" in other languages:

🇵🇹 velar

🇮🇳 वलार

🇩🇪 velar

🇮🇩 velar

🇺🇦 велярний

🇵🇱 welarny

🇯🇵 ベラー

🇫🇷 vélaire

🇪🇸 velar

🇹🇷 velar

🇰🇷 벨라르

🇸🇦 فيلار

🇨🇿 velární

🇸🇰 velárny

🇨🇳 软腭的

🇸🇮 velarni

🇮🇸 velar

🇰🇿 велярлық

🇬🇪 ველარი

🇦🇿 velar

🇲🇽 velar

Etymology

The word 'velar' comes from the Latin term 'velaris,' derived from 'vela,' meaning 'veil' or 'cover.' The term originally referred to the covering of the soft palate in the human mouth, which is crucial for the production of certain speech sounds. As linguistics evolved in the 19th century, 'velar' became a commonly used term to classify specific consonants in phonetics that are articulated with the back of the tongue approaching the soft palate. This classification helped linguists describe and analyze the phonological systems of various languages, enhancing our understanding of speech and sound production.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,129, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.