faucal, a. and n.
(ˈfɔːkəl)
[f. L. fauc-ēs (see fauces n. pl.) + -al1.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the fauces or throat. In phonology applied chiefly to certain deep guttural sounds, esp. in the Semitic languages.
| 1864 in Webster. 1876 T. Le M. Douse Grimm's L. App. A. 179 Its more usual affinity being for the faucal â. 1883 I. Taylor Alphabet I. iii. §3. 180 The ‘faucal breaths’ as well as the linguals, are characteristic of the Semitic languages. 1884 Syd. Soc. Lex., Faucal, relating to, or arising in connection with, the Fauces. |
B. n. A faucal sound.
| 1883 I. Taylor Alphabet. I. iii. §3. 180 ‘Ayin is the most difficult of the faucals. Ibid. I. iii. §3. 181 Cheth..a ‘fricative faucal’, was a strongly marked continuous guttural sound produced at the back of the palate. |