aphthong
nounEtymology From Ancient Greek ἄφθογγος (áphthongos). Compare diphthong.
1
Human sciences, Linguistics, Phonology, Sciences Archaic A letter or combination of letters employed in spelling a word but not pronounced; a silent letter or polygraph
- The letters "gh" in "knight" are an aphthong.
- Derived terms
- aphthongal