| Definitions | | polysynthetic |
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adjective
- (grammar) said of a language, characterized by a prevalence of relatively long words containing a large number of morphemes. Typically, the morphemes are bound (i.e., they cannot stand alone as independent words). An example of a polysynthetic language is Ojibwe, where:
- baataanitaaanishinaabemong = "being able to speak Ojibwe."
- ngiinitaaozhibii'amaadimin = "we used to write to each other."
Etymology: The Greek prefix poly- + synthetic < Latin synthesis (collection, set, composition) < Greek (composition) < (to put together, combine) < - (together) + (to put, place) < Proto-Indo-European base
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Full Definition of polysynthetic
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