ASPIRATE


Meaning of ASPIRATE in English

I. ˈas-p(ə-)rət noun

Date: 1617

1. : an independent sound h or a character (as the letter h ) representing it

2. : a consonant having aspiration as its final component

in English the p of pit is an aspirate

3. : material removed by aspiration

II. ˈas-pə-ˌrāt transitive verb

( -rat·ed ; -rat·ing )

Etymology: Latin aspiratus, past participle of aspirare

Date: circa 1700

1. : to pronounce (a vowel or a consonant) with aspiration (sense 1a)

2.

a. : to draw by suction

b. : to remove (as blood) by aspiration

c. : to take into the lungs by aspiration

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.