Dealveolarlizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Alters a consonant so that it is no longer pronounced with the tongue against the alveolar ridge
2. Changes the articulation of a sound to eliminate its alveolar characteristics
3. Modifies a speech sound such that it is no longer formed at the alveolar ridge in the mouth

Etymology: "Dealveolarizes" is the third-person singular of "dealveolarize," a phonetics verb meaning to move the tongue away from the alveolar ridge, the bony ridge just behind the upper front teeth where sounds like "t," "d," and "s" are made. The root "alveolar" comes from Latin "alveolus," a little hollow, from "alveus," meaning trough or cavity. The sockets that hold teeth are also called alveoli for the same reason. The prefix "de-" means "away from," and "-ize" comes from Greek "-izein," a common suffix for forming verbs.