1. (

• palatal

) a semivowel produced with the tongue near the palate (like the initial sound in the English word `yeast') ;

1. (

• palatal ,
• palatine ,

) relating to or lying near the palate; "palatal index"; "the palatine tonsils" ;

2. (

• palatal ,
• palatalized ,
• palatalised

) 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') ;