noun

lene

LEEN

Lene (noun) means In phonetics, an unaspirated (or "smooth") voiceless stop consonant, as opposed to an aspirated one. Example: “Linguists contrast the lene consonants of one language with the aspirated stops of another.”

noun

In phonetics, an unaspirated (or "smooth") voiceless stop consonant, as opposed to an aspirated one.

"Linguists contrast the lene consonants of one language with the aspirated stops of another."

How to use lene

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA specialist phonetics term for a "soft," unaspirated consonant sound, as opposed to an aspirated one.

When to use it

Technical linguistics term, not everyday vocabulary.

Easily confused with

lenis

Word forms

lenes plural

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Linguists contrast the _____ consonants of one language with the aspirated stops of another.

Etymology

An anglicised form of Latin lēnis ("smooth, gentle").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for lene

gene bene nene Rene scene Irene Keene Beene Ilene serene Selene Eugene

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lene” mean?

The word “lene” means in phonetics, an unaspirated (or "smooth") voiceless stop consonant, as opposed to an aspirated one. In plain terms, a specialist phonetics term for a "soft," unaspirated consonant sound, as opposed to an aspirated one.

How do you pronounce “lene”?

“Lene” is pronounced LEEN (/ˈliːn/ in IPA).

How do you use “lene” in a sentence?

Here is “lene” used in a sentence: “Linguists contrast the lene consonants of one language with the aspirated stops of another.”

What part of speech is “lene”?

“Lene” is a noun.

Where does the word “lene” come from?

The word “lene” comes from Latin. An anglicised form of Latin lēnis ("smooth, gentle").