vowel

In phonetics, a vowel is a sound in spoken language that is characterized by an open configuration of the vocal tract so that there is no build-up of air pressure above the glottis. This contrasts with consonants, which are characterized by a constriction or closure at one or more points along the vocal tract. A vowel is also understood to be syllabic: an equivalent open but non-syllabic sound is called a semivowel.
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(n.)
A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a consonant in that the latter, whether made with or without vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or character which represents such a sound.
  

(a.)
Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.
  

Noun
1. a speech sound made with the vocal tract open
(synonym) vowel sound
(antonym) consonant
(hypernym) phone, speech sound, sound
(hyponym) ablaut
(derivation) vocalize, vocalise, vowelize, vowelise
2. a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken vowel
(hypernym) letter, letter of the alphabet, alphabetic character
(hyponym) vowel point

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