polyphone

noun

poly·​phone ˈpä-lē-ˌfōn How to pronounce polyphone (audio)
: a symbol or sequence of symbols having more than one phonemic value (such as a in English)

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyphone was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Polyphone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyphone. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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