palatal

(noun, adjective)

adjective

1. relating to or lying near the palate

- palatal index

- the palatine tonsils

Similar word(s): palatine

2. produced with the front of the tongue near or touching the hard palate (as `y') or with the blade of the tongue near the hard palate (as `ch' in `chin' or `j' in `gin')

Similar word(s): soft, palatalised, palatalized

noun

1. a semivowel produced with the tongue near the palate (like the initial sound in the English word `yeast')

Definition categories: communication, glide, semivowel