approximant

About 0.05 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun A consonant sound made by slightly narrowing the vocal tract, while still allowing a smooth flow of air. Liquids and glides are approximants.
2. noun An approximation to the solution of a function, series, etc.

Similar words

velar retroflex rounded vowel tense vowel aphthong hidden quantity consonant semi-vowel semivowel umlaut

Often followed by

is to of and in for phases with or