noun a semivowel produced with the tongue near the palate (like the initial sound in the English word `yeast').
adjective relating to or lying near the palate.
— synonyms: palatine
adjective produced with the front of the tongue near or touching the hard palate (as `y') or with the blade of the tongue near the hard palate (as `ch' in `chin' or `j' in `gin').
— synonyms: palatalized, palatalised