lambdacism

lamb·da·cism
L1A1M3B3D2A1C3I1S1M3
/ˈlæm(b)dəˌsɪzəm/

noun

A pronunciation shift whereby /l/ or other closely related phonemes are substituted for other sounds (typically /r/), as Sally for Sarah or Molly for Mary.

OriginLatin lambdacismus →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounlambdacism (countable and uncountable, plural lambdacisms)

plural lambdacisms

  1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesA pronunciation shift whereby /l/ or other closely related phonemes are substituted for other sounds (typically /r/), as Sally for Sarah or Molly for Mary.

Origin

  1. Latinlambdacismus
  2. Englishlambdacism

Borrowed from Latin lambdacismus. By surface analysis lambda + -cism (phenomenon related to a specific phoneme).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch lambdacisme
  • lambdacismepronunciation of other sounds as l
French lambdacisme
  • lambdacismepronunciation of other sounds as l
German Lambdazismus
  • Lambdazismuspronunciation of other sounds as l
Hungarian lambdacizmus
  • lambdacizmuspronunciation of other sounds as l
Italian lambdacismo
  • lambdacismopronunciation of other sounds as l
Polish lambdacyzm
  • lambdacyzmpronunciation of other sounds as l
Portuguese lambdacismo
  • lambdacismopronunciation of other sounds as l
Russian ламбдаи́зм
  • ламбдаи́зм (lambdaízm)pronunciation of other sounds as l
Spanish lambdacismo
  • lambdacismopronunciation of other sounds as l
Cite this entry
APA

lambdacism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lambdacism

MLA

“lambdacism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lambdacism. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lambdacism,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lambdacism.

Source: lambdacism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.