articulator
|ar-tic-u-la-tor|
🇺🇸
/ɑrˈtɪk.jə.leɪ.tɚ/
🇬🇧
/ɑːˈtɪk.jʊ.leɪ.tə/
one that shapes or produces clear speech
Etymology
'articulator' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'articulare' (and the past participle 'articulatus'), where the root 'articul-' related to 'joint' or 'to join' and also to uttering distinctly.
'articulare' (Latin) developed into medieval/late Latin forms such as 'articulatus' (past participle), influenced the formation of English 'articulate' (Middle English via Old French/Latin), and the agent noun suffix '-or' produced the modern English 'articulator'.
Initially tied to the idea of 'joining (by joints)' and to 'utter clearly,' the sense shifted toward 'one or something that produces or shapes speech' and to specialized technical senses (e.g., dental device).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a speech organ (such as the tongue, lips, teeth, or palate) that shapes and modifies sounds in the production of speech; an articulatory organ.
In phonetics, the tongue and lips are major articulators for distinguishing consonants and vowels.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a mechanical device (dental articulator) used by dentists and technicians to simulate jaw movement and study occlusion and prosthetic work.
The technician mounted the plaster models on an articulator to check the bite relationships.
Synonyms
Noun 3
a person who articulates — someone who expresses ideas clearly and effectively.
As a public speaker, he proved himself an articulate articulator of complex policy issues.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/23 22:19