palatalization
nounUK /ˌpælətəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ · US /ˌpælətəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
Etymology From palatal + -ization or palatalize + -ation. First attested in 1863 in this spelling, 1862 in the spelling palatalisation.
1
Human sciences, Linguistics, Phonology, Sciences The state or quality of being palatalized, of pronouncing a sound with the tongue against the palate of the mouth that normally is not.
- The word "nature" is commonly pronounced with a palatalization of the letter t to sound like ch.
2
Human sciences, Linguistics, Phonology, Sciences An instance of pronunciation in which a sound is palatalized.