fricative

noun fric·a·tive \ˈfri-kə-tiv\

linguistics : a sound made by forcing air out of your mouth through a narrow opening that is made using the lips, teeth, or tongue

Full Definition of FRICATIVE

: a consonant characterized by frictional passage of the expired breath through a narrowing at some point in the vocal tract

— fricative adjective

See fricative defined for English-language learners

Latin fricatus, past participle of fricare

First Known Use: 1863

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