dentalize
|den-tal-ize|
🇺🇸
/ˈdɛn.tə.laɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈdɛn.t(ə)laɪz/
make or use tooth-based articulation
Etymology
'dentalize' originates from Latin, specifically the root 'dent-' from the word 'dens' where 'dent-' meant 'tooth', combined with the English suffix '-ize'.
'dentalize' developed from Latin 'dens' > Medieval/late Latin 'dentalis' (meaning 'of the teeth') into English as 'dental', and then the productive English verb-forming suffix '-ize' produced 'dentalize'.
Initially related to 'of or pertaining to the teeth', over time it evolved into the verbal sense 'to make or pronounce with the teeth' (to cause dental articulation).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
in phonetics, (intransitive) to adopt or use dental articulation; to pronounce a sound with the tongue against the teeth.
Some speakers dentalize /t/ before /r/ in casual speech.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
transitive: to make (a sound) dental; to cause a non-dental sound to be articulated at the teeth.
Phonetic rules may dentalize an alveolar consonant in this environment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/04 09:47