consonant

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A speech sound made by blocking the airflow, such as b, t, or s; also a letter representing it.

   The word "strength" begins with three consonants.

2. 2
   adj

   In agreement or harmony with something.

   His actions were consonant with his stated beliefs.

From Middle English consonant or consonaunt, from Old French consonant, from Latin cōnsonāns (“sounding with”), from the prefix con- (“with”) + the present participle sonāns (“sounding”), from sonāre (“to sound”). The Latin is a calque of Ancient Greek σύμφωνον (súmphōnon).

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