vow´el|like´

vow|el «VOW uhl», noun, adjective, verb, -eled, -el|ing or (especially British) -elled, -el|ling.

–n.

1. any speech sound produced by not blocking the breath with the lips, teeth, or tongue, with the vocal cords generally but not necessarily vibrating. A vowel can form a syllable by itself, as does the first syllable of awful «AW fuhl». The various vowel sounds are produced by modification of the shape of the oral chamber by movements of the tongue and lips.

2. a letter that stands for such a sound. English a, e, i, o, and u are vowels. Y is sometimes a vowel, as in bicycle.

–adj.

of or having something to do with a vowel. Voluntary has four vowel sounds; strength has only one.

–v.t.

1. to supply with vowels or vowel points: »

with pauses, cadence, and well-vowelled words (John Dryden).

2. Slang. to pay (a creditor) with an I.O.U.

–v.i.

to utter or pronounce vowels.

╂[< Old French vouel < Latin (littera) vōcālis sounding (letter) < vōx, vōcis voice. See etym. of doublet vocal. (Cf. ↑vocal)]

–vow´el|like´, adjective.