v. t. (Phon.) To modify, as the tones of the voice, by means of the palate; especially: to pronounce a consonant with the tongue against the palate; as, to palatalize a letter or sound; to palatize. See palatalized. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. (Linguistics, Phonology) Produced with the front of the tongue near or touching the hard palate as "y"; or with the blade of the tongue near the hard palate as "ch" in "chin" or "j" in "gin".
Syn. -- palatal. [ WordNet 1.5 ]