Mute h

/mjuːt eɪtʃ/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    In the French language usage of the letter h at the start of a word which allows liaison with a preceding consonant.

    "The French word homme ("man") begins with a mute h. Consequently we can say l'homme /l‿ɔm/ and les hommes /le‿zɔm/, but never /lə ɔm/ and /le ɔm/, like we do with the aspirated h."

  2. 2
    Non-aspiration of a glottal consonant. literally

Example

More examples

"The French word homme ("man") begins with a mute h. Consequently we can say l'homme /l‿ɔm/ and les hommes /le‿zɔm/, but never /lə ɔm/ and /le ɔm/, like we do with the aspirated h."

Etymology

Calque of French h muet.

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