-onym: Difference between revisions
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Dieter Simon (talk | contribs) Made a start on a "list of -onym words" |
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'''[[Morpheme]]s with the [[affix]] -onym''' are designations for either a [[closed class word|closed]] set of grammatical morphemes that refer to relationships between word pairs, such as [[synonym]] and [[antonym]]; or they may stand for words of an [[open class word|open]] type that refer to a particular subject, such a [[toponym]] or [[characternym]]. By analogy they may be freely created, sometimes for no other reason than to give an erudite impression of the user who is aware that his listeners understand Greek, and thus words such as ''ornithonym'' or ''ichthyonym'' may be formed. |
'''[[Morpheme]]s with the [[affix]] -onym''' are designations for either a [[closed class word|closed]] set of grammatical morphemes that refer to relationships between word pairs, such as [[synonym]] and [[antonym]]; or they may stand for words of an [[open class word|open]] type that refer to a particular subject, such a [[toponym]] or [[characternym]]. By analogy they may be freely created, sometimes for no other reason than to give an erudite impression of the user who is aware that his listeners understand Greek, and thus words such as ''ornithonym'' or ''ichthyonym'' may be formed. |
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The first usage is of great importance in [[grammar]]. Some morphemes ending in -onym may represent words that contain components, such as ''house'' |
The first usage is of great importance in [[grammar]]. Some morphemes ending in -onym may represent words that contain components, such as ''house'' may contain ''window'', ''roof'', and ''door'', or they may be words so contained in others, such as ''steering-wheel'' and ''engine'' in ''car''.<br> They may be [[generic]] words that stand for a class or group of equally-ranked items, such as ''tree'' for ''beech'' or ''elm'', or belong within that class, such as ''lily'' or ''violet'' in ''flower''.<br> They may have the same or a similar meaning as a differently spelled word, such as ''sofa'' or ''couch'', or they may stand in direct contrast to another, such as ''useful'' and ''useless. |
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Some morphemes have the -nym form rather than the -onym form, such as ''characternym'', or ''hypernym'' but that may be more because of pronunciation than for [[etymological]] reasons. |
Some morphemes have the -nym form rather than the -onym form, such as ''characternym'', or ''hypernym'' but that may be more because of pronunciation than for [[etymological]] reasons. |
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*[[allonym]] - an author's name of another person's, often a well-known person's name |
*[[allonym]] - an author's name of another person's, often a well-known person's name |
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*[[anacronym]] - [[portmanteau]] morpheme of [[anachronism]]+ acronym that may be an acronym, abbreviation, or [[initialism]] but that is so well established that its origin is no longer remembered |
*[[anacronym]] - [[portmanteau]] morpheme of [[anachronism]]+ acronym that may be an acronym, abbreviation, or [[initialism]] but that is so well established that its origin is no longer remembered |
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*[[antonym]] - one of a word pair with [[synonym]] that indicates the exact opposite meaning of another word, such as ''high'' to ''low'' |
*[[antonym]] - one of a word pair with [[synonym]] that indicates the exact opposite meaning of another word, such as ''high'' is to ''low'' |
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*[[aptronym]] - name appropriate to its owner's [[occupation]] or physical properties as in ''Goldsmith'' or ''Longman'' |
*[[aptronym]] - name appropriate to its owner's [[occupation]] or physical properties as in ''Goldsmith'' or ''Longman'' |
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*aristonym - one of the second type of -onym words that denotes a name that is derived from a high rank or a title of nobility |
*aristonym - one of the second type of -onym words that denotes a name that is derived from a high rank or a title of nobility |
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Revision as of 01:04, 28 August 2003
Morphemes with the affix -onym are designations for either a closed set of grammatical morphemes that refer to relationships between word pairs, such as synonym and antonym; or they may stand for words of an open type that refer to a particular subject, such a toponym or characternym. By analogy they may be freely created, sometimes for no other reason than to give an erudite impression of the user who is aware that his listeners understand Greek, and thus words such as ornithonym or ichthyonym may be formed.
The first usage is of great importance in grammar. Some morphemes ending in -onym may represent words that contain components, such as house may contain window, roof, and door, or they may be words so contained in others, such as steering-wheel and engine in car.
They may be generic words that stand for a class or group of equally-ranked items, such as tree for beech or elm, or belong within that class, such as lily or violet in flower.
They may have the same or a similar meaning as a differently spelled word, such as sofa or couch, or they may stand in direct contrast to another, such as useful and useless.
Some morphemes have the -nym form rather than the -onym form, such as characternym, or hypernym but that may be more because of pronunciation than for etymological reasons.
A list of -onym words
- acronym - an abbreviation formed from the initials of one or more words that is pronouncable like a normal word, such as NATO
- allonym - an author's name of another person's, often a well-known person's name
- anacronym - portmanteau morpheme of anachronism+ acronym that may be an acronym, abbreviation, or initialism but that is so well established that its origin is no longer remembered
- antonym - one of a word pair with synonym that indicates the exact opposite meaning of another word, such as high is to low
- aptronym - name appropriate to its owner's occupation or physical properties as in Goldsmith or Longman
- aristonym - one of the second type of -onym words that denotes a name that is derived from a high rank or a title of nobility
- backronym - portmanteau morpheme of back + acronym that appears to fit an existing word but has really been created as an acronym, such as BASIC and stands for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code
Work in progress