CLOSE VOWEL Meaning and
Definition
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A close vowel is a term used in phonetics and linguistics to describe a type of vowel sound that is produced with a relatively small degree of openness in the mouth. It refers to a vowel sound that is pronounced with the tongue positioned close to the roof of the mouth, resulting in a relatively high frequency of resonance.
In terms of articulation, a close vowel is produced by narrowing the oral cavity and lifting the tongue towards the palatal or alveolar region. This creates a relatively small space through which the air can pass, resulting in a high-pitched sound. Examples of close vowels include /i/ in the English word "see" and /u/ in "moon". These sounds are produced by positioning the tongue close to the front for /i/ and close to the back for /u/.
Close vowels are often contrasted with open vowels, which are produced with a greater degree of mouth opening and a lower resonance frequency. The distinction between close and open vowels is an important feature in many languages as it can significantly affect meaning and might be used to differentiate between words.
In summary, a close vowel is a vowel sound that is produced with a relatively small degree of mouth opening and a higher resonance frequency. It is formed by positioning the tongue close to the roof of the mouth, resulting in a higher-pitched sound.
Common Misspellings for CLOSE VOWEL
- xlose vowel
- vlose vowel
- flose vowel
- dlose vowel
- ckose vowel
- cpose vowel
- coose vowel
- clise vowel
- clkse vowel
- cllse vowel
- clpse vowel
- cl0se vowel
- cl9se vowel
- cloae vowel
- cloze vowel
- cloxe vowel
- clode vowel
- cloee vowel
- clowe vowel
- closw vowel
Etymology of CLOSE VOWEL
The etymology of the word close in the context of describing vowels comes from the Middle English word clos which means closed. This term evolved from the Old French word clos meaning enclosed or shut. Ultimately, it can be traced back to the Latin word clausus, which has the same meaning. In the context of vowels, close refers to a vowel sound produced with a relatively small opening of the mouth, such as the ee sound in see or the oo sound in boot.
