Applosion

/əˈploʊ.ʒən/ noun

Definition

A linguistic sound made by the sudden release of air after the lips are pressed together, like the 'p' or 'b' sound in speech.

Etymology

From Latin 'applodere' (to clap or strike against) plus the suffix '-sion,' referring to the 'striking' or 'clapping' action of the vocal apparatus in speech.

Kelly Says

Applosion is a technical term linguists use, though it's quite rare—most people know these sounds as 'plosives' or 'stops' instead, which are much more common terminology in modern linguistics.

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