noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈæspəɹeɪ̯tɪd eɪ̯tʃ/
1
noun
Meaning 1
In the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant or elision of a preceding schwa.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
The French word héros ("hero") begins with an aspirated h. Consequently we say le héros /lə e.ʁo/ and les héros /le e.ʁo/, but never /l‿e.ʁo/ and /le‿ze.ʁo/ as we do with the mute h.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Germanic h, fr:h aspiré
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Aspiration of a glottal consonant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Calque of French h aspiré. The aspirated h was pronounced /h/ until Early Modern French (and still is in some northern dialects), whereas the mute h had long been silent. The designation has been maintained although both kinds of h are now technically silent in standard French, but the aspirated h remains pronounced dialectally and in Norman French.
Across languages
Translations
9 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
h aspirada
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
French:
h aspiré
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Italian:
h aspirata
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Japanese:
有音のh
(yūon no asshu)
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Polish:
h przydechowe
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Portuguese:
h aspirado
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Russian:
придыха́тельное аш
(pridyxátelʹnoje aš)
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Spanish:
h aspirada
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
Spanish:
hache aspirada
— in the French language, usage of the letter h at the start of a word which does not allow liaison with a preceding consonant
