auslaut
|aus-laut|
/ˈaʊslaʊt/
final sound
Etymology
'auslaut' originates from German, specifically the word 'Auslaut', where 'aus-' meant 'out' and 'laut' meant 'sound'.
'auslaut' entered English usage as a technical borrowing from Modern German 'Auslaut'; the German word itself descends from Middle and Old High German elements (compare Old High German 'ūz' meaning 'out' and 'lût/loud' meaning 'sound').
Initially in German it meant 'the sound at the outside/end', and when borrowed into English it retained the meaning 'final sound' in phonological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a final sound in a syllable or word; especially a word-final consonant (a term borrowed from German phonology).
In German phonology, auslaut devoicing is a well-known process.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/21 19:32