polysynthetic

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

poly- +‎ synthetic

Pronunciation[edit]

  • enPR: pŏlēsĭnthĕt'ĭk, IPA(key): /ˌpɒlisɪnˈθɛtɪk/

Adjective[edit]

Examples (grammar)
  • Ojibwe is a polysynthetic language where ngii-nitaa-ozhibii'amaadimin (we used to write to each other) is a possible word.

polysynthetic (comparative more polysynthetic, superlative most polysynthetic)

  1. (grammar, of languages) Characterized by a prevalence of relatively long words containing a large number of morphemes. Typically, the morphemes are bound.
    • 1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World [], London, New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:
      "No doubt, sir," Summerlee answered. "Like all such tribes, I shall expect to find them of polysynthetic speech and of Mongolian type." "Polysynthetic certainly," said Challenger, indulgently.
  2. (mineralogy) Having layers of twin crystals

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