phonotactics

noun

pho·​no·​tac·​tics ˌfō-nə-ˈtak-tiks 

plural in form but singular in construction

: the area of phonology concerned with the analysis and description of the permitted sound sequences of a language

phonotactic

ˌfō-nə-ˈtak-tik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

phonotactic (from phono- + -tactic) + -ics

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above