† phonasceticsn.

Etymology: < Greek ϕωνασκητής person who exercises the voice (in an undated glossary; < ancient Greek ϕωνασκεῖν to exercise the voice ( < ϕωνή voice (see -phone comb. form) + ἀσκεῖν to exercise: see ascetic adj. and n.) + -τής , suffix forming agent nouns) + -ic suffix: see -ic suffix 2. Compare ancient Greek ϕωνασκία practice of the voice, declamation ( > post-classical Latin phonascia (1728 or earlier), French phonascie (1869 in Littré)), Hellenistic Greek ϕωνασκός teacher of singing or elocution ( > classical Latin phōnascus). N.E.D. (1906) gives the pronunciation as (fō^unăse·tiks) /fəʊnəˈsɛtɪks/.