aphonia

noun

apho·​nia (ˌ)ā-ˈfō-nē-ə How to pronounce aphonia (audio)
: loss of voice and of all but whispered speech
aphonic adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin aphōnia, borrowed from Greek aphōnía "speechlessness, mispronunciation," from áphōnos "voiceless, mute" (from a- a- entry 2 + -phōnos, adjective derivative of phōnḗ "voice, speech") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at phono-

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aphonia was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near aphonia

Cite this Entry

“Aphonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aphonia. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

aphonia

noun
apho·​nia (ˈ)ā-ˈfō-nē-ə How to pronounce aphonia (audio)
: loss of voice and of all but whispered speech
aphonic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on aphonia

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