X-tier (n.)

A term used in AUTOSEGMENTAL PHONOLOGY to describe a conception of the SKELETAL TIER in which the FEATURE [syllabic] is eliminated, SEGMENTS being specified for no features at all, thus contrasting with the CV-TIER approach; also known as the timing unit or timing tier theory. This approach is claimed to have advantages in removing REDUNDANCY (the overlap in FUNCTION between syllable position and whether a position is a C or a V).