[ ˌfəʊnəs'θi:zɪə ]
( US also phonesthesia )
■ noun attribution of common elements of meaning to certain sound sequences, e.g. initial sl- , as in slow , sleep , slide .
Derivatives
phonaesthetic adjective
phonaesthetics plural noun
Origin
1950s: mod. L., from Gk phōnē 'sound' + aesthesthai 'perceive'.