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umlaut

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

umlaut

Main Entry:: ¹um·laut
Pronunciation:: \ˈüm-ˌlau̇t, ˈu̇m-\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: German, from um- around, transforming + Laut sound
Date:: circa 1845

1 a: the change of a vowel (as \ü\ to \ē\ in goose, geese) that is caused by partial assimilation to a succeeding sound or that occurs as a reflex of the former presence of a succeeding sound which has been lost or altered b: a vowel resulting from such partial assimilation2: a diacritical mark ¨ placed over a vowel to indicate a more central or front articulation — compare diaeresis

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