Vowel
In phonetics/phonology, a vowel is a speech sound in whose articulation the oral part of the breath channel is not constricted enough to cause audible friction.
Term properties
A relational adjective from vowel that is occasionally used is vocalic.
Comments
Speech sounds with audible constriction are called consonants; sounds intermediate between vowels and consonants are called semi-vowels (not "semi-consonants").
Origin
The word goes back to French voyelle, from Latin (littera) vocalis 'voice letter' (from vox 'voice').
Other languages
Links
Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics
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