consonant shift

noun

Definition of consonant shift

: 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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Dictionary Entries Near consonant shift

consonant-rhyme

consonant shift

consonant stem

Statistics for consonant shift

Cite this Entry

“Consonant shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consonant%20shift. Accessed 28 Jun. 2022.

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