moth-er

English

Alternative forms

• mother

Etymology

Coined from moth by analogy to mouser.

Pronunciation

• (UK)
  • IPA: /ˈmɒðə/, X-SAMPA: /"mQD@/
  • IPA: /ˈmɒθə/, X-SAMPA: /"mQT@/
• (US)
  • LOT-CLOTH split:
    • IPA: /ˈmɔðɚ/, X-SAMPA: /"mOD@`/
    • IPA: /ˈmɔθɚ/, X-SAMPA: /"mOT@`/
  • COT-CAUGHT merger:
    • IPA: /ˈmɑðɚ/, X-SAMPA: /"mAD@`/
    • IPA: /ˈmɑθɚ/, X-SAMPA: /"mAT@`/
• Rhymes: -ɒðə(r), -ɒθə(r)

The th component is voiced /ð/ or voiceless /θ/ predictably depending on whether the pronunciation of mouser has voiced /z/ or voiceless /s/.

Noun

moth-er (plural moth-ers)

1. (nonstandard) A cat that catches moths.