delabialize

verb

de·​la·​bi·​al·​ize ˌdē-ˈlā-bē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce delabialize (audio)
delabializing; delabialized; delabializes

transitive verb

: to pronounce (a speech sound) without lip rounding : to remove lip rounding from (a speech sound)
delabialization noun
plural delabializations

Word History

Etymology

de- + labial entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

circa 1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of delabialize was circa 1876

Cite this Entry

“Delabialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delabialize. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!