phonotaxis

P3H4O1N1O1T1A1X8I1S1

noun

The ability to move in an orientation with respect to a source of sound.

OriginEnglish taxis ← Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰōnā́ →
Scrabble 22
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Meanings

nounphonotaxis (uncountable)
  1. uncountablemedicineThe ability to move in an orientation with respect to a source of sound.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  2. Proto-Hellenic*pʰōnā́
  3. Ancient Greekφωνή (phōnḗ)
  4. Englishphono-
  5. Englishtaxis
  6. Englishphonotaxis

From phono- + taxis.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

phonotaxis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phonotaxis

MLA

“phonotaxis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phonotaxis. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phonotaxis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phonotaxis.

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