consonant

Definitions

con- (together) + son (sound) + -ant = 'sounding together.' A consonant like k or t cannot be voiced alone — it needs a vowel beside it to be heard, so it literally 'co-sounds.' The same word also works as an adjective: ideas that are consonant 'sound together,' i.e. agree.

Why It Means This

The grammar term hides a sound metaphor. Ancient teachers split letters into two camps: vowels, which can ring out on their own, and consonants — the 'co-sounders' that only become audible alongside a vowel. The adjective sense ('in agreement') is the same idea applied to people: two views that 'sound together' are in tune.

Common Collocations

• 1.consonant sound辅音
• 2.consonant cluster辅音连缀
• 3.voiced consonant浊辅音
• 4.consonant with与……一致

Example Sentences

• 1.

  English has more consonant sounds than its alphabet has consonant letters.

• 2.

  Try not to swallow the final consonant when you speak English.

• 3.

  His private spending was hardly consonant with his public calls for austerity.