phonic

views updated Jun 11 2018

phon·ic / ˈfänik/ • adj. of or relating to speech sounds. ∎  of or relating to phonics: the English language presents difficulties if a purely phonic approach is attempted.DERIVATIVES: phon·i·cal·ly / ik(ə)lē/ adv.

PHONIC

views updated Jun 08 2018

PHONIC.
1. Relating to vocal sound: phonic substance, phonic vibrations.

2. In PHONETICS, a term used in contrast with PHONETIC to mean ‘relating to speech sounds’: the phonic medium, the phonic method of teaching reading, a phonic reader (a book).

2. In physiology, relating to a nerve centre that excites the organs of speech and to vibration of the vocal folds or cords.