Vowel

['vaʊəl]

Definition

(noun.) a speech sound made with the vocal tract open.

(noun.) a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken vowel.

Edited by Ahmed--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a consonant in that the latter, whether made with or without vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or character which represents such a sound. See Guide to Pronunciation, // 5, 146-149.

(a.) Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.

Checker: Virgil

Definition

n. a sound or tone produced by the unimpeded passage of the breath when modified by the glottis into voice through the tube of the mouth which is made to assume different shapes by altering the form and position of the tongue and the lips—the letters a e i o u are called vowels as being able to be sounded by themselves with a continuous passage of the breath; but there are thirteen simple vowel sounds in English.—adj. vocal: pertaining to a vowel.—vs.t. Vow′el Vow′elise to insert vowel signs in words written primarily with consonants only.—ns. Vow′elism the use of vowels; Vow′elist one given to vowelism.—adjs. Vow′elled furnished with vowels; Vow′elless without vowels; Vow′elly full of vowels.—Vowel points marks inserted in consonantal word to indicate vowels.

Checked by Horatio