intervocalic
Definition
Adjective
- Phonetics: Occurring or situated between two vowels. In linguistics, this term describes a consonant or sound that appears in the position between two vowel sounds within a word or across word boundaries.
Usage Examples
- (The /t/ sound is between two vowel sounds.)
- (Consonants between vowels may change their pronunciation.)
- (The /t/ sound is between the vowels /ɛ/ and /ə/.)
Advanced Usage
- Intervocalic voicing: A phonological process where a voiceless consonant becomes voiced when it appears between two vowels.
- In some dialects, the intervocalic /t/ in "city" is pronounced as /d/ or a flap. (The consonant changes due to its position between vowels.)
- Intervocalic lenition: The weakening or softening of a consonant in an intervocalic position.
- Spanish often exhibits intervocalic lenition, such as /b/ becoming /β/ between vowels. (The consonant weakens between vowels.)
Variants and Related Words
- Intervocalically (adverb): in a manner that occurs between vowels.
- The sound is pronounced intervocalically in this context. (It is produced between two vowels.)
- Intervocalic position (noun phrase): the location of a sound between two vowels.
- The intervocalic position often triggers phonetic changes. (The position between vowels affects pronunciation.)
Synonyms
- Between vowels: a descriptive phrase meaning the same as "intervocalic."
- The consonant is placed between vowels. (It is in an intervocalic position.)
Related Idioms
- None applicable — "intervocalic" is a technical linguistic term without idiomatic usage.