consonant shift
noun
: a set of regular changes in consonant articulation in the history of a language or dialect:
a
: such a set affecting the Indo-European stops (see stop entry 2 sense 9) and distinguishing the Germanic languages from the other Indo-European languages compare grimm's law
b
: such a set affecting the Germanic stops and distinguishing High German from the other Germanic languages
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The accent and subtle consonant shifts were right, even the cadence was familiar.
—
James Richardson, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
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James Richardson, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consonant shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consonant%20shift. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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