Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

gemination

Noun

/ˌdʒɛmɪˈneɪʃən/

Definition

The occurrence of a consonant being pronounced for an extended period or doubled.

Examples

In Italian, the word ‘panna’ (cream) has a geminate ‘n’ sound, making it distinct from ‘pana’ (a type of bread).
Gemination is crucial in distinguishing meanings in languages like Arabic, where the length of consonants can alter word meanings.

Meaning

Gemination refers to the phonetic phenomenon where a consonant sound is held longer than usual, effectively doubling its duration. This can change the meaning of words in some languages.