plusquam-

English

Etymology

From Classical Latin plūs (“more”) + quam (“than”); compare plusquamperfect and plusquamperfection.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: plŭsʹkwăm, IPA^(key): /ˈplʌskwam/
• (US) enPR: pləsʹkwăm', IPA^(key): /ˈpləsˌkwæm/

Prefix

plusquam-

1. (chiefly forming nonce words) more than; beyond (in degree)

   plusquam-clerical, plusquam-Lovecraft, plusquam-plebeian, plusquam-thucydidëan

Usage notes

• The hyphen is retained when this prefix is combined with other words.

References

• “plusquam-, comb. form” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary (third edition, September 2006)