— lisper , n. — lispingly , adv.
/lisp/ , n.
1. a speech defect consisting in pronouncing s and z like or nearly like the th- sounds of thin and this, respectively.
2. Phonet. any unconventional articulation of the sibilants, as the pronunciation of s and z with the tongue between the teeth (lingual protrusion lisp) , close to or touching the upper front teeth (dental lisp) , or raised so that the breath is emitted laterally (lateral lisp) .
3. the act, habit, or sound of lisping.
v.t. , v.i.
4. to pronounce or speak with a lisp.
5. to speak imperfectly, esp. in a childish manner.
[ bef. 1100; ME wlispen, lipsen, OE awlyspian; akin to D lisp ( el ) en, G lispeln, Norw leipsa ]