3. (Phonetics) (a) Articulated, as a consonant, mainly by the lips, as b, p, m, w. (b) Modified, as
a vowel, by contraction of the lip opening, as &oomac o etc., and as eu and u in French, and ö, ü in
German. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 11, 178.
4. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the labium; as, the labial palpi of insects. See Labium.
Labial
(La"bi*al), n.
1. (Phonetics) A letter or character representing an articulation or sound formed or uttered chiefly with
the lips, as b, p, w.
2. (Mus.) An organ pipe that is furnished with lips; a flue pipe.
3. (Zoöl.) One of the scales which border the mouth of a fish or reptile.
Labialism
(La"bi*al*ism) n. (Phonetics) The quality of being labial; as, the labialism of an articulation; conversion
into a labial, as of a sound which is different in another language. J. Peile.
Labialization
(La`bi*al*i*za"tion) n. (Phonetics) The modification of an articulation by contraction of the
lip opening.
Labialize
(La"bi*al*ize) v. t. (Phonetics) To modify by contraction of the lip opening.
Labially
(La"bi*al*ly), adv. In a labial manner; with, or by means of, the lips.
Labiate
(La"bi*ate) v. t. To labialize. Brewer.
Labiate
(La"bi*ate) a. [NL. labiatus, fr. L. labium lip.] (Bot.) (a) Having the limb of a tubular corolla
or calyx divided into two unequal parts, one projecting over the other like the lips of a mouth, as in the
snapdragon, sage, and catnip. (b) Belonging to a natural order of plants of which the mint, sage, and
catnip are examples. They are mostly aromatic herbs.
Labiate
(La"bi*ate), n. (Bot.) A plant of the order Labiatæ.
Labiated
(La"bi*a`ted) a. (Bot.) Same as Labiate, a. (a).
Labiatifloral
(La`bi*a`ti*flo"ral La`bi*a`ti*flo"ral) a. [Labiate + L. flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.) Having labiate
flowers, as the snapdragon.
Labidometer
(Lab`i*dom"e*ter) n. [Gr. labi`s, -i`dos, a forceps + meter: cf. F. labidometre.] (Med.) A
forceps with a measuring attachment for ascertaining the size of the fetal head.
Labile
(La"bile) a. [L. labilis apt to slip, fr. labi to slip.] Liable to slip, err, fall, or apostatize. [Obs.]
Cheyne.
Lability
(La*bil"i*ty) n. Liability to lapse, err, or apostatize. [Archaic] Coleridge.
Labimeter
(La*bim"e*ter) n. [Cf. F. labimetre.] (Med.) See Labidometer.
Labiodental
(La`bi*o*den"tal) a. [Labium + dental.] (Phonetics) Formed or pronounced by the cooperation
of the lips and teeth, as f and v. — n. A labiodental sound or letter.
Labionasal
(La`bi*o*na"sal) a. [Labium + nasal.] (Phonetics) Formed by the lips and the nose. — n.
A labionasal sound or letter.
Labiose
(La"bi*ose`) a. [From Labium.] (Bot.) Having the appearance of being labiate; — said of certain
polypetalous corollas.
