Plosives

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A category of speech sounds that occur when airflow is completely obstructed and then released forcefully, often producing a sudden noise
2. Consonantal sounds produced by momentarily stopping airflow and then releasing it, generating a distinct burst of sound
3. Consonant sounds formed by briefly halting the breath and then letting it out suddenly

Etymology: "Plosive" is a clipping of "explosive," and the shortened form keeps the sense of a sudden release. The sounds it names are the stops, such as "p," "t," and "k," where the airflow is blocked and then let go with a small burst. The longer word traces back to Latin "explodere," built from "ex-" meaning "out" and "plaudere," meaning "to clap" or "to strike," so the original image is of driving something out with a clap. Latin "explodere" also came to mean "to drive off the stage" by applause, which is how the English sense of "explode" as a sudden blast later developed. Plosive is the plural of "plosive," so it names more than one such sound.

Synonyms: stop consonants, occlusive sounds, stop sounds, explosive sounds, articulations