great vowel shift
noun
often capitalized G&V&S
: a change in pronunciation of the long vowels of Middle English that began in the 15th century and continued into the 16th century in which the high vowels were diphthongized and the other vowels were raised
Cite this Entry
“Great vowel shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20vowel%20shift. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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