closure (n.)

A general term used in PHONETICS to refer to an ARTICULATION where the contact between active and passive articulators obstructs the airstream through the mouth and/or nose. A ‘complete closure’ exists in the case of PLOSIVES, AFFRICATES and NASALS, and in the glottalic and velaric AIRSTREAM MECHANISMS. An ‘intermittent closure’ exists in the case of ROLLS, FLAPS and TAPS. A ‘partial closure’ exists in the case of LATERALS. Some phoneticians would include FRICATIVES under the heading of ‘partial’ or ‘incomplete’ closure. A narrowing of the VOCAL TRACT where there is no articulatory contact is usually called a STRICTURE.