umlaut

English

/ˈʊm.laʊt/, /ˈʊm.laʊt/

noun
Definitions
  • (linguistics) An assimilatory process whereby a vowel is pronounced more like a following vocoid that is separated by one or more consonants.
  • (linguistics) The umlaut process (as above) that occurred historically in Germanic languages whereby back vowels became front vowels when followed by syllable containing a front vocoid (e.g. Germanic lūsiz > Old English lȳs(i) > Modern English lice).
  • (linguistics) A vowel so assimilated.
  • (orthography) The diacritical mark ( ¨ ) placed over a vowel when it indicates a (rounded) front vowel
  • (informal) diaeresis

Etymology

Borrowed from German Umlaut.

Origin

German (Berlin)

Umlaut

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms