\Spi"rant\, n. [L. spirans, -antis, p. pr. of spirare to
breathe. See {Spirit}.] (Phon.)
A term used differently by different authorities; -- by some
as equivalent to fricative, -- that is, as including all the
continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the
further exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the
semivowels w, y; by others limited to f, v, th surd and
sonant, and the sound of German ch, -- thus excluding the
sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and semivowels.
See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 197-208.