anlaut

/ˈɑːnlaʊt/

Definitions

1. noun

In phonetics, the initial sound or sounds of a word; the onset.

“The linguist studied the anlaut of the German word ‘anlaut’ itself.”

2. verb

To sound or start with a particular initial sound or sound combination.

“This word anlauts with a distinctive vowel sound.”

Synonyms

  • initial sound
  • onset

Antonyms

  • final sound
  • termination