A2 Language Change Flashcards
Synonyms
Different words with a similar meaning
Neologism
Creation of new words and expressions
Antonym
The opposite to synonyms
Borrowing
The introduction of a new word from another language-chocolate
eponym
The name of a person given to an item/something else (lord sandwich)
Propriety names
The name given to a product by an organisation which then is used as the name for the same product (Hoover)
Acronym
Initial letters of a phrase which make a word (RADAR)
Initialism
Say the individual letters/initials or a phrase (CD)
Clipping
Shortening a word from a longer word (maths)
Affixation
Prefix and suffix
Prefix
Bound morpheme added to the start of a word (un)
Suffix
Morpheme added to the end of a word- (ing)
Conversion
When a word changes it’s word type without affixation - I will text you- I have a text
Compound
Two words joined to create a new word (size-zero)
Backformation
Removal of an affix from an existing word to permanent
Blend
Two words forming to make a new one. Smoke and fog- smog
Semantic change
A change in a words meaning over time
Drift
A process of linguistic change over a period of time
Amelioration
The upgrading or elevation of a words meaning
Pejoration
Downgrading of a words meaning
Narrowing
A words meaning becomes less general or inclusive
Broadening
Meaning of a word becomes broader
Metaphor
A comparison made between two unlike things
Euphemism
Substitute of an inoffensive expression in place of an offensive one
Idiom
An expression that means something other than the literal meaning of it’s individual words
