| diphthong | Origin: L. Diphthongus, Gr.; = twice + voice, sound, fr. To utter a sound: cf. F. Diphthongue] A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; called a proper diphthong. A vowel digraph; a union of two vowels in the same syllable, only one of them being sounded; as, ai in rain, eo in people; called an improper diphthong. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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