allophone

noun

al·​lo·​phone ˈa-lə-ˌfōn How to pronounce allophone (audio)
: one of two or more variants of the same phoneme
the aspirated \p\ of pin and the unaspirated \p\ of spin are allophones of the phoneme \p\
allophonic adjective

Word History

Etymology

allo- + -phone entry 1

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allophone was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near allophone

Cite this Entry

“Allophone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allophone. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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