First Known Use: 1669
Dictionary
1sibilant
adjective sib·i·lant \ˈsi-bə-lənt\
: making or having a sound like the letters s or sh
Full Definition of SIBILANT
: having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash <a sibilant affricate> <a sibilant snake>
— sib·i·lant·ly adverb
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Origin of SIBILANT
Latin sibilant-, sibilans, present participle of sibilare to hiss, whistle, of imitative origin
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2sibilant
noun
: a sibilant sound (such as \ s \ or \ z \)
Full Definition of SIBILANT
: a sibilant speech sound (as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=tsh)\, or \j(=dzh)\)
See sibilant defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SIBILANT
1788
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
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