zetacism en · NOUN
Etymology
From zeta + -cism (phenomenon related to a specific phoneme).
Meanings
-
(uncountable) A sound change converting a consonant into /z/, the voiced alveolar sibilant.
In the Lettish language, which partakes altogether of a more modern character, the zetacism seizes the dentals, gutterals ^([sic]), sibilants and liquids […]
1860, Leonhard Tafel, Latin Pronunciation and the Latin Alphabet, page 161:Alternately, it was proposed that the reverse processes of sigmatism (the reverse of lambdacism) and zetacism (the reverse of rhotacism) may more accurately describe the alternations seen.
1997, Calgary Working Papers in Linguistics, volumes 19-21, page 63:
- (uncountable) The lack of a sound change in a language when languages in the same family undergo rhotacism.