minimal pair

minimal pair

noun

Definition of MINIMAL PAIR

: two linguistic units that differ in a single distinctive feature or constituent (as voice in the initial consonants of bat and pat)

First Known Use of MINIMAL PAIR

1942

Rhymes with MINIMAL PAIR

breath of fresh air, butterfly chair, chargé d'affaires, chemin de fer, commissionaire, concessionaire, couturiere, devil-may-care, director's chair, electric chair, enamelware, intensive care, lighter-than-air, memoriter, out of one's hair, Parian ware, pied-à-terre, primary care, ready-to-wear, social welfare, son et lumière, spectacled bear, surface-to-air, up in the air, vanity fair, vogue la galère