-ˈnishən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin lenit us (past. participle of lenire to soften) + English -ion; intended as translation of German lenierung
1. : the change from fortis to lenis articulation
2. : the replacement of a consonant in a Celtic language by a phonetically related consonant requiring less energy of articulation (as voiceless k by voiced g or stopped k by continuant k)