What does LENIS mean?

Lenis

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Referring to a type of consonant sound that is pronounced with less force or aspiration than its fortis counterpart.

Pronunciation (US): /ˈliːnɪs/

Pronunciation (UK): /ˈliːnɪs/

Origin and Usage: The term lenis comes from the Latin word lēnis, meaning soft or gentle. In linguistics, it is used to describe a type of consonant sound that is produced with less force or aspiration than its fortis counterpart. The term is commonly used in phonetics and phonology.

Synonyms: Soft, gentle, weak, mild, faint.

Related Words: Consonant, vowel, fricative, plosive, nasal.

Example Sentences:

1. She pronounced the p sound in spit with a lenis aspiration.
2. The lenis consonant sound in the word vine is produced with less force than the fortis consonant sound in the word fine.
3. The lenis  sound in ubble is pronounced with less force than the fortis p sound in pebble.