compensatory lengthening UK /kɒmpɛnˈseɪtəɹi ˈlɛŋ(k)θ(ə)nɪŋ/US /kəmˈpɛnsəˌtɔɹi ˈlɛŋ(k)θənɪŋ/ noun1 •The lengthening of a vowel sound which occurs when a following consonant is lost, regarded as an extreme form of fusion; (countable) an instance of this. formscompensatory lengthenings
