Final answer:
The sound 'c' in 'cat' is a phoneme, which is the smallest unit of sound in a language and can change the meaning of words.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sound made by "c" in the word cat is best described as a phoneme. A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound that can change the meaning of a word. In the word cat, the phoneme 'c' represents the sound /k/, which is distinct from other phonemes like /s/ or /b/. Hence, the correct answer to the question is option A) phoneme.
Words are formed by combining various phonemes, which are basic sound units. When we organize phonemes together, they can form morphemes, which are the smallest meaningful units in a language. However, a phoneme does not carry meaning by itself; it is purely a sound. Understanding these concepts is important for grasping the basics of linguistics and the structure of languages.