Zetacism
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Zetacism is a noun meaning (linguistics) A sound change converting a consonant into /z/, the voiced alveolar sibilant.
Meaning
(linguistics) A sound change converting a consonant into /z/, the voiced alveolar sibilant.
More Meanings
- (linguistics) The lack of a sound change in a language when languages in the same family undergo rhotacism.
Example Sentences
In the Lettish language, which partakes altogether of a more modern character, the zetacism seizes the dentals, gutterals ^([sic]), sibilants and liquids […]
Alternately, it was proposed that the reverse processes of sigmatism (the reverse of lambdacism) and zetacism (the reverse of rhotacism) may more accurately describe the alternations seen.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include betacism, assimilation, satemisation, transphonologization, postalveolarization, rhotacism.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
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