grave /gra:v/ (adj.)

One of the features of sound set up by Jakobson and Halle in their DISTINCTIVE FEATURE theory of PHONOLOGY, to handle variations in PLACE OF ARTICULATION; its opposite is ACUTE. Grave sounds are defined ARTICULATORILY and ACOUSTICALLY, as those involving a peripheral articulation in the VOCAL TRACT, and a concentration of acoustic energy in the lower frequencies. BACK VOWELS and LABIAL and VELAR CONSONANTS are [+grave]; FRONT VOWELS and DENTAL, ALVEOLAR and PALATAL consonants are [−grave].