monophthong

noun

mon·​oph·​thong ˈmä-nə(f)-ˌthȯŋ How to pronounce monophthong (audio)
: a vowel sound that throughout its duration has a single constant articulatory position
monophthongal adjective

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek monophthongos single vowel, from Greek mon- + phthongos sound

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monophthong was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near monophthong

Cite this Entry

“Monophthong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monophthong. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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