continuant
/kənˈtɪnjənt/ · con·tin·u·ant
noun
- In phonetics, a speech sound that can be produced continuously without a complete closure of the vocal tract, such as a vowel, fricative, or approximant. The /s/ in “see” and the /a/ in “father” are both continuants.
- Something that continues or persists over time. The river’s flow is a continuant of the mountain’s meltwater.
adjective
- Continuing without interruption; ongoing. The continuant rain made the streets flood.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The term “continuant” was coined by early phonologists to contrast sounds that can be held (continuants) with those that involve a complete closure of the airflow, known as stops.