triphthongn.
/ˈtrɪfθɒŋ/, /ˈtrɪpθɒŋ/, U.S. /ˈtrɪfˌθɔŋ/, /ˈtrɪpˌθɔŋ/, /ˈtrɪfˌθɑŋ/, /ˈtrɪpˌθɑŋ/ A combination of three vowel sounds in one syllable; also loosely applied to a combination of three vowel characters, more correctly called trigraph n. (Cf. diphthong n.)
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the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > vowel > [noun] > triphthong
triphthong1623
society > communication > writing > written character > [noun] > letter > digraph or trigraph
diphthong1530
trigram1606
triphthong1711
digraph1780
trigraph1836
digram1864
geminative1885
polygraph1893
1623 J. Minsheu Spanish Gram. 9 in Dict. Spanish & Eng. A triphthong is a sounding of three vowels into one syllable with one breath together, and that after five sorts.
a1637 B. Jonson Eng. Gram. i. v, in Wks. (1640) III The Tripthong is of a complexion, rather to be fear'd then lov'd.
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 371 A common Assertion..That no one syllable can consist of three Vowels, and consequently that there can be no Tripthongs.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Triphthongue.
1711 J. Greenwood Ess. Pract. Eng. Gram. 244 A Triphthong is, when three Vowels meet together in one Syllable; as eau in Beauty: but this we pronounce Buty.
1889 I. Pitman Man. Phonogr. (new ed.) §41 The double vowels heard in the words ice, owl, ay, boy, and the triphthong wī, are represented by small angular marks.
Derivatives
triphthongal adj. /trɪfˈθɒŋɡəl/ pertaining to or of the nature of a triphthong.
/trɪfˈθɒŋɡəl/ pertaining to or of the nature of a triphthong.ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > vowel > [adjective] > triphthong
triphthongal1749
1749 Philos. Trans. 1748 (Royal Soc.) 45 403 7 vocal Notes or Vowels,..struck, as one may say, in diphthongal or triphthongal Chords with each other.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1623