Definition & Meaning of "phonestheme"

What is a "phonestheme"?

A phonestheme is a sound or combination of sounds that carries a specific meaning or evokes a particular association across different words. It is not a full morpheme but a phonetic element that appears consistently in various words. For example, the sound "gl" in English words like "glow," "glimmer," and "gloss" often relates to light or brightness. Similarly, the "sn" sound in words like "sneeze," "sniff," and "snore" often evokes ideas related to the nose or breathing. Phonesthemes are significant in linguistics because they illustrate how sounds can contribute to meaning in language, enhancing the connection between phonetics and semantics.