consonant

/'kɔnsənənt/

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Sure! Let’s break down the word “consonant.”

Definition:

1. Noun: A consonant is a letter of the alphabet that represents a speech sound that is not a vowel. In English, the consonants are: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, and Z.
2. Adjective: When "consonant" is used as an adjective, it means something that is in agreement, harmony, or conformity with something else. For example, if your ideas are consonant with someone else's, it means your ideas match or are similar.

Usage Instructions:

• As a noun, you can use "consonant" when talking about sounds in speech or letters in writing.
• As an adjective, use "consonant" when discussing ideas, beliefs, or plans that align well with each other.

Examples:

• Noun: "In the word 'cat', the letters 'c' and 't' are consonants."
• Adjective: "Her views on the topic were consonant with the recent research findings."

Advanced Usage:

• In linguistics, consonants can be classified based on how they are produced (voiced or voiceless), their place of articulation (where in the vocal tract they are produced), and their manner of articulation (how the airflow is constricted).
• As an adjective, you might see "consonant" used in legal or formal contexts to describe agreements or contracts, e.g., "The terms of the agreement were consonant with international law."

Word Variants:

• Consonantal (adjective): Relating to consonants. For example, "The consonantal sounds in this language are quite different from those in English."
• Consonance (noun): A related term that refers to the repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity, often used in poetry and music.

Different Meanings:

• In music, "consonant" refers to a harmonious sound created by two or more notes that sound pleasing together, as opposed to "dissonant," which refers to sounds that are clashing or unstable.

Synonyms:

• For the adjective: harmonious, compatible, agreeable, in accord.
• For the noun (though not commonly used as a synonym): consonant letter (to differentiate from vowels).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "consonant," but you might hear phrases like "in consonance with" meaning "in agreement with."

Recap:

• Consonant (noun): A letter or sound that is not a vowel.
• Consonant (adjective): In agreement or harmony with something else.

Academic

Adjective

1. in keeping
   • salaries agreeable with current trends
   • plans conformable with your wishes
   • expressed views concordant with his background
2. involving or characterized by harmony

Noun

1. a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken consonant
2. a speech sound that is not a vowel

Synonyms

• accordant
• agreeable
• conformable
• concordant
• harmonic
• harmonical
• harmonized
• harmonised