lenis: Meaning and Definition of

le•nis

1. pronounced with relatively weak muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in weak sound effect: in stressed or unstressed position, (b, d, g, j, v, &thslash;, z, and zh) are lenis in English, as compared with (p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, and sh), which are fortis. Cf. fortis (def. 1).

1. a lenis consonant.