velar

adjective

ve·​lar ˈvē-lər 

1

: formed with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate

the velar \k\ of \ˈkül\ cool

2

: of, forming, or relating to a velum and especially the soft palate

velar noun

Did you know?

Velar is ultimately derived from Latin velum (meaning "curtain" or "veil"), which was itself adopted into English by way of New Latin as a word for the soft palate (the fold at the back of the hard palate-palate, by the way, refers to the roof of the mouth-that partially separates the mouth from the pharynx). Velar is used by phonologists to refer to the position of the tongue in relation to the soft palate when making certain sounds. Other terms for what phonologists refer to as "places of articulation" are palatal (tongue against the roof of the mouth), dental (tongue against the upper teeth), and alveolar (tongue against the inner surface of the gums of the upper front teeth).

Word History

Etymology

velum + -ar, probably after French vélaire or German velar

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Medical Definition

velar

adjective

ve·​lar ˈvē-lər 

: of, forming, or relating to a velum and especially the soft palate