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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Consonant \Con"so*nant\, n. [L. consonans, -antis.]
An articulate sound which in utterance is usually combined
and sounded with an open sound called a vowel; a member of
the spoken alphabet other than a vowel; also, a letter or
character representing such a sound.
[1913 Webster]

Note: Consonants are divided into various classes, as mutes,
spirants, sibilants, nasals, semivowels, etc. All of
them are sounds uttered through a closer position of
the organs than that of a vowel proper, although the
most open of them, as the semivowels and nasals, are
capable of being used as if vowels, and forming
syllables with other closer consonants, as in the
English feeble (-b'l), taken (-k'n). All the consonants
excepting the mutes may be indefinitely, prolonged in
utterance without the help of a vowel, and even the
mutes may be produced with an aspirate instead of a
vocal explosion. Vowels and consonants may be regarded
as the two poles in the scale of sounds produced by
gradual approximation of the organ, of speech from the
most open to the closest positions, the vowel being
more open, the consonant closer; but there is a
territory between them where the sounds produced
partake of the qualities of both.
[1913 Webster]

Note: "A consonant is the result of audible friction,
squeezing, or stopping of the breath in some part of
the mouth (or occasionally of the throath.) The main
distinction between vowels and consonants is, that
while in the former the mouth configuration merely
modifies the vocalized breath, which is therefore an
essential element of the vowels, in consonants the
narrowing or stopping of the oral passage is the
foundation of the sound, and the state of the glottis
is something secondary." --H. Sweet.
[1913 Webster]


Consonant \Con"so*nant\, a. [L. consonans, -antis; p. pr. of
consonare to sound at the same time, agree; con- sonare to
sound: cf. F. consonnant. See {Sound} to make a noise.]
1. Having agreement; congruous; consistent; according; --
usually followed by with or to.
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Each one pretends that his opinion . . . is
consonant to the words there used. --Bp.
Beveridge.
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That where much is given there shall be much
required is a thing consonant with natural equity.
--Dr. H. More.
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2. Having like sounds.
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Consonant words and syllables. --Howell.
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3. (Mus.) harmonizing together; accordant; as, consonant
tones, consonant chords.
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4. Of or pertaining to consonants; made up of, or containing
many, consonants.
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No Russian whose dissonant consonant name
Almost shatters to fragments the trumpet of fame.
--T. Moore.
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