Dictionary
semivowel
noun semi·vow·el \ˈse-mē-ˌvau̇(-ə)l, ˈse-ˌmī-, -mi-\
Definition of SEMIVOWEL
1
: a speech sound (as \y\, \w\, or \r\) that has the articulation of a vowel but that is shorter in duration and is treated as a consonant in syllabication
2
: a letter representing a semivowel
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First Known Use of SEMIVOWEL
1530
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