The word "aspirate" is pronounced /ˈæspəreɪt/ and refers to the pronunciation of a sound with a strong burst of air. The spelling of this word can be tricky because of its varying pronunciations, which can mean to remove fluid with a needle or to breathe in. The first syllable is pronounced as in "asp," followed by the "i" sound as in "pit." Finally, the last syllable is pronounced with the "ate" sound as in "late." Remembering this IPA phonetic transcription can help improve your spelling of the word "aspirate."
Aspirate is a term that can be used as both a noun and a verb in the English language. As a noun, it refers to the sound or speech produced by the release and expulsion of breath, particularly when accompanied by a distinctive audible noise or the formation of a particular consonant sound. It typically occurs through a forceful exhalation of air, resulting in a strong and often emphasized pronunciation of certain speech sounds.
As a verb, aspirate refers to the act of pronouncing a speech sound with an accompanying expulsion of breath or air. It involves producing a constricted airflow by narrowing or partially closing the vocal tract, resulting in the generation of a distinctive sound. Certain phonetic elements, such as the letters "h" in English, are prime examples of aspirated sounds.
Furthermore, the term aspirate can also refer to the act of inhaling food, drink, or another foreign substance into the respiratory tract, usually leading to coughing or choking. In this context, aspirate describes the process of taking something into the airways or lungs unintentionally, posing a potential risk to one's health.
Overall, aspirate is a versatile term used to describe the production and pronunciation of specific speech sounds accompanied by an expulsion of breath, as well as the accidental inhalation of substances into the respiratory tract.
1. A sound having the breathing character of the letter h. 2. To remove by suction or aspiration.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• To pronounce with a full breath.
• A letter with a mark to show it must be pronounced with a full breath.
• Pronounced with a breathing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "aspirate" comes from the Latin word "aspiratus", which is the past participle of the verb "aspirare". "Aspirare" is a combination of the prefix "ad-" meaning "to" and "spirare" meaning "breathe". Thus, the literal translation of "aspirare" is "to breathe upon" or "to breathe in". In English, "aspirate" refers to a speech sound produced with a strong exhalation of air, such as the "h" sound in "hat" or "the". The term was first used in the 17th century to describe the sound produced when pronouncing certain consonants.