fronting

noun

1. (phonetics, phonology) A process whereby a vowel or a consonant is pronounced farther to the front of the vocal tract than some reference point.

2. (phonology) A phonological relationship where a front vowel is found in place of a relative back vowel in an inflected form of a word.

3. (linguistics) An analogous relationship between the vowel sounds in a dialect of a language relative to the language standard or an earlier form of the language.

4. (syntax) The movement of a word of phrase to nearer the beginning of a sentence or clause than it would usually appear, often for emphasis. May also occur as part of the standard syntax of particular constructions (e.g. wh-fronting).

verb

1. present participle of front