aphthong

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἄφθογγος (áphthongos). Compare diphthong.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: aph‧thong

Noun

aphthong (plural aphthongs)

1. (phonology, 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

References

• “aphthong”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.