Spirant

Spi″rant (?), n. [L. spirans, -antis, p. pr. of spirare to breathe. See Spirit.] (Phon.) A term used differently by different authorities; — by some as equivalent to fricative, — that is, as including all the continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the further exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by others limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of German ch, — thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and semivowels. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 197-208.