distributed (adj.)

One of the features of sound set up by Chomsky and Halle in their DISTINCTIVE FEATURE theory of PHONOLOGY to handle variations in PLACE OF ARTICULATION (CAVITY features) in FRICATIVE sounds. Distributed sounds are defined ARTICULATORILY, as those produced with a STRICTURE which extends for a considerable distance along the direction of the airflow, as in BILABIAL and PALATO-ALVEOLAR fricatives. Its opposite is non-distributed, referring to sounds produced with a relatively short stricture, as in DENTAL and RETROFLEX fricatives.