PORTMANTEAU WORD Meaning and
Definition
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A portmanteau word refers to a linguistic construct that is formed by combining two separate words or parts of words to create a single term that carries a blended meaning. It is essentially a blend of two or more existing words to form a new word with a distinct semantic composition. The term "portmanteau" itself is derived from a French word meaning "suitcase," emphasizing the concept of merging different elements together.
In a portmanteau word, portions of both original words are combined, typically by overlapping or truncating syllables or sounds, to generate a new word that may possess a different pronunciation and spelling from its parent words. This linguistic technique is frequently used to capture and express new ideas or concepts that may not yet have a term associated with them. Portmanteau words can also serve as concise and memorable linguistic devices that encapsulate complex concepts in a single term.
Examples of common and popular portmanteau words include "brunch" (breakfast + lunch), "smog" (smoke + fog), and "motel" (motor + hotel). They have become widely recognized and embraced due to their effective and efficient communication of ideas. The popularity and usage of portmanteau words have increased in contemporary society, particularly in fields such as technology, where rapidly evolving concepts and innovations often necessitate the creation of new terminologies to describe them succinctly.
Common Misspellings for PORTMANTEAU WORD
- oortmanteau word
- lortmanteau word
- -ortmanteau word
- 0ortmanteau word
- pirtmanteau word
- pkrtmanteau word
- plrtmanteau word
- pprtmanteau word
- p0rtmanteau word
- p9rtmanteau word
- poetmanteau word
- podtmanteau word
- poftmanteau word
- pottmanteau word
- po5tmanteau word
- po4tmanteau word
- porrmanteau word
- porfmanteau word
- porgmanteau word
- portmawnteau word
Etymology of PORTMANTEAU WORD
The term "portmanteau word" was coined by the English author Lewis Carroll in his book "Through the Looking-Glass" in 1871. The word "portmanteau" itself has a separate etymology. It comes from the French word "porte-manteau", which literally means "coat carrier" or "coat rack". In this context, "portmanteau" refers to a large traveling case or suitcase that opens into two compartments.
Carroll used the concept of a portmanteau case to explain his new linguistic creation in a conversation between Humpty Dumpty and Alice in his book. In the conversation, he explained that a portmanteau word is a word that blends the sounds and meanings of two separate words to create a new word.
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