compound etymology

Etymology:

  • Compound: a word formed from two or more root words or morphemes

Meaning:

  • A compound word combines the meanings of its constituent parts. For example, "bookstore" is a combination of "book" and "store," meaning a place where books are sold.

Origin:

Compound words have been formed in English since the earliest stages of the language. They may be created through the processes of:

  • Compounding: Combining two or more words without changing their form, e.g., "blackboard," "boyfriend"
  • Derivation: Adding a prefix or suffix to a root word, e.g., "unhappy," "recount"
  • Suppletion: Using different forms of the same word, e.g., "go" (present) / "went" (past)

Examples:

  • Automobile: "auto" (self) + "mobile" (moving) = a self-propelled vehicle
  • Photograph: "photo" (light) + "graph" (writing) = a picture created using light
  • Dishwasher: "dish" + "wash" + "-er" = a machine that washes dishes
  • Computer: "compute" (calculate) + "-er" = a device used for computing
  • Underwater: "under" + "water" = beneath the surface of water

Types of Compound Words:

  • Nominal Compounds: Combine nouns, e.g., "bookstore," "apple pie"
  • Verbal Compounds: Combine verbs, e.g., "backstab," "whitewash"
  • Adjectival Compounds: Combine adjectives, e.g., "bright red," "deep blue"
  • Adverbial Compounds: Combine adverbs, e.g., "lightly salted," "loudly spoken"

Importance of Compound Words:

Compound words are a crucial part of the English language, allowing for the creation of new words and concepts without adding new words to the vocabulary. They enhance vocabulary and facilitate communication.

compound relate terms

  • astound

    Etymology Old French astoneer estonner Late Latin extonare to thunder out astound

  • astonish

    Etymology Origin Old French estonir to stun amaze bewilder Latin ex out awa

  • round

    Etymology Origin of the Word The word round comes from the Old English word rund w

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • astounding

    Etymology of Astounding Old French estoner to stun Latin extonare to thunder

  • expound

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of words It se

  • position

    Etymology From Middle English posicion from Anglo Norman posicion from Old French pos

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • propound

    Etymology Latin proponere Pro forth Ponere to place Meaning To put forth

  • compose

    Etymology Compose comes from the Latin word componere which means to put together

  • simple

    Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It can be used to trace the evo

  • cyan

    Etymology Cyan is derived from the Ancient Greek word kyanos which means dark blue

  • frolic

    Etymology Middle English froliken from Old French froliquier froliker from Old Occit

  • belive

    Etymology The word believe comes from the Old English word geliefan which is itself

  • cataract

    Etymology Cataract is derived from the Late Latin word cataracta meaning waterfall

  • repellent

    Etymology Repellent comes from the Latin repellere meaning to push back or to

  • increase

    Etymology The word increase comes from the Old French word encroistre which is deriv

  • calculate

    Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It helps us understand how word