Library / English Dictionary

TRILL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it

Synonyms:

shake; trill

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("trill" is a kind of...):

musical note; note; tone (a notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound)

Derivation:

trill (sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The articulation of a consonant (especially the consonant 'r') with a rapid flutter of the tongue against the palate or uvula

Example:

he pronounced his R's with a distinct trill

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("trill" is a kind of...):

articulation (the aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below

Synonyms:

quaver; trill; warble

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "trill" is one way to...):

sing (produce tones with the voice)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sentence examples:

The birds trill in the woods

The woods trill with many kinds of birds

Derivation:

trill (a note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pronounce with a trill, of the phoneme 'r'

Example:

Some speakers trill their r's

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "trill" is one way to...):

articulate; enounce; enunciate; pronounce; say; sound out (speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

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