tenuis

noun

ten·​u·​is ˈten-yə-wəs How to pronounce tenuis (audio)
plural tenues ˈten-yə-ˌwēz How to pronounce tenuis (audio)
-ˌwās
: an unaspirated voiceless stop

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin (as translation of Greek psīlós "bare, plain," applied to the consonants π, τ, κ), going back to Latin, "thin, narrow, slight" — more at thin entry 1

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenuis was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near tenuis

Cite this Entry

“Tenuis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenuis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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