An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A speech sound that is produced as a stream of air that is not obstructed or blocked in any way by the vocal organs, but only modulated by the position of the tongue, lips, etc.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. vouel, from L. vocalis shortening of littera vocalis, literally “vocal letter,” from  → vox “voice,” cognate with Pers. âvâ, → phone, vâžé, → word.

Etymology (PE): Xodâvâ, literally “self-voice,” as Ger. Selbstlaut, from xod-, → self-, + âvâ, → phone.