Devocalization

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Devocalize \De*vo"cal*ize\, v. t.
     To make toneless; to deprive of vowel quality. --
     {De*vo`cal*i*za"tion}, n.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           If we take a high vowel, such as (i) [= nearly i of


           bit], and devocalize it, we obtain a hiss which is
           quite distinct enough to stand for a weak (jh). --H.
                                                    Sweet.
     [1913 Webster]