lenite, v. Phonology.
(ˈliːnaɪt)
[Back-formation from lenition.]
a. trans. To make lenis in articulation. b. intr. (Of consonants), to become lenis. Hence ˈlenitable a.; ˈlenited ppl. a.
| 1912 F. W. O'Connell Gram. Old Irish 5 A true lenited f occurs in Modern Irish and is pronounced h. Ibid. 61 The absolute forms of the copula lenite the following anlaut. 1953 K. H. Jackson Lang. & Hist. Early Brit. 550 The Bretons lenited the consonants. Ibid. 556 British c, lenited to g. Ibid. 474 The consonants ordinarily regarded in Breton as lenitable. 1967 ― Hist. Phonol. Breton 309 The geminates, which were not lenitable, constitute a special case. 1971 Canad. Jrnl. Ling. Fall 20 Affrication of the yod element would create a consonant cluster which would not lenite. 1972 H. Kurath Stud. Area Ling. ix. 153 It should be further noted that ‘lenited’ /t, k/ appear as the voiced plosives /d, g/ only in the British branch of Insular Celtic. |