Dictionary
1aspirate
noun as·pi·rate \ˈas-p(ə-)rət\
linguistics : the sound of the letter “h”
Full Definition of ASPIRATE
1
: an independent sound \h\ or a character (as the letter h) representing it
2
: a consonant having aspiration as its final component <in English the \p\ of pit is an aspirate>
3
: material removed by aspiration
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First Known Use of ASPIRATE
1617
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2aspirate
verb as·pi·rate \ˈas-pə-ˌrāt\
linguistics : to pronounce (a letter or word) with the sound of a breath or the letter “h”
medical : to remove (liquid) from a person's body
medical : to breathe (liquid, food, etc.) into your lungs
as·pi·rat·edas·pi·rat·ing
Full Definition of ASPIRATE
transitive verbtransitive verb
1
: to pronounce (a vowel or a consonant) with aspiration (sense 1a)
2
a : to draw by suction b : to remove (as blood) by aspiration c : to take into the lungs by aspiration
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Origin of ASPIRATE
Latin aspiratus, past participle of aspirare
First Known Use: circa 1700
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Rhymes with ASPIRATE
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