Occlusives

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Sound segments produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract, typically including sounds like stops and plosives
2. A category in phonetics where complete closure in the oral cavity leads to a burst of sound upon release
3. Consonant sounds characterized by a complete blockage of airflow followed by a sudden release, creating distinct audible effects

Etymology: "Occlusives" is the plural of "occlusive," a term in phonetics for consonants such as "p," "t," and "k," which are produced by completely blocking airflow in the mouth and then releasing it in a burst. The singular is borrowed from Latin "occlūsīvus," meaning "shutting off" or "closing up," built on "occludere," "to shut up or close off." The Latin verb combines "ob-," "against" or "in the way," with "claudere," "to close," the same root behind English words like "close," "clause," and "include." The Latin adjective carried the idea of physically closing something, and English kept that sense of complete closure. In phonetics, the closure is the defining feature: the articulators meet so fully that air pressure builds behind them, and the sudden release produces the audible burst that gives these sounds their name in many descriptions.

Synonyms: stops, plosives