Definitions for: Vowel


[n] a speech sound made with the vocal tract open
[n] a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken vowel



Webster (1913) Definition: Vow"el, n. [F. voyelle, or an OF. form without y, L.
vocalis (sc. littera), from vocalis sounding, from vox,
vocis, a voice, sound. See Vocal.] (Phon.)
A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by
resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each
case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character
or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a
consonant in that the latter, whether made with or without
vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind
of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or
character which represents such a sound. See Guide to
Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 5, 146-149.

Note: In the English language, the written vowels are a, e,
i, o, u, and sometimes w and y. The spoken vowels are
much more numerous.

Close vowel. See under Close, a.

Vowel point. See under Point, n.


Vow"el, a.
Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.

Synonyms: vowel sound

Antonyms: consonant

See Also: ablaut, alphabetic character, diphthong, gradation, letter, letter of the alphabet, phone, schwa, shwa, sound, speech sound, stem vowel, thematic vowel, vowel point

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