Pharyngals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Characterized by sounds articulated in the throat region, especially those produced by constricting the pharynx
2. relating to certain consonants that are pronounced using the throat, which can influence speech
3. referring to a linguistic feature found in several languages where these unique sounds are used in communication among speakers

Etymology: "Pharyngals" is simply the plural of "pharyngal", so the history belongs to the adjective. That word is built from "pharynx," the Greek-derived name for the throat cavity behind the mouth and nose, plus the English suffix "-al," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "relating to" or "characterized by." Put together, a pharyngal is a sound made in the pharynx, and the plural form simply refers to a set of such sounds. The base word needs a little more explanation. "Pharynx" comes from Greek "pharynx," meaning throat or gullet, a term that entered scientific English as anatomists needed precise names for parts of the body. The "-al" ending follows the same pattern as countless technical adjectives such as "dental" or "vocal," so the word was assembled by ordinary English rules rather than invented as a single unusual coinage.