Langimage
English

alveolar

|al-ve-o-lar|

C1

🇺🇸

/ælˈviːələr/

🇬🇧

/ælˈviːələ/

related to cavities

Etymology
Etymology Information

'alveolar' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'alveolus,' where 'alveus' meant 'cavity' or 'hollow.'

Historical Evolution

'alveolus' transformed into the English word 'alveolar' to describe structures related to small cavities.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'related to a cavity,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

relating to an alveolus, which is a small cavity or pit, such as those found in the lungs or teeth.

The alveolar sacs are crucial for gas exchange in the lungs.

Synonyms

Adjective 2

in phonetics, referring to a sound produced with the tongue against or close to the superior alveolar ridge, such as the English sounds /t/, /d/, /n/.

The English /t/ and /d/ are alveolar sounds.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/07/06 18:06