resonant (n.)

A term used by some PHONETICIANS to refer to speech sounds produced at the GLOTTIS with a relatively wide articulatory channel, so that no subsequent audible friction is produced, e.g. VOWELS, LATERALS, NASALS, FRICTIONLESS CONTINUANTS. The analogous term in DISTINCTIVE FEATURE theory is SONORANT. In this respect, the category can be opposed to OBSTRUENT, where CLOSURE or narrowing is the essential characteristic.