clitic

[ klit-ik ]

/ ˈklɪt ɪk /

Grammar

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adjective

(of a word) functioning as a bound form; closely connected in pronunciation with a preceding or following word and not having an independent accent or phonological status.

noun

a clitic word; enclitic or proclitic.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of clitic

1945–50; extracted from enclitic and proclitic

Words nearby clitic

clistothecium, clit, Clite, clitellum, clithral, clitic, cliticize, clitoridectomy, clitoris, Clive, Cliveden

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for clitic

clitic

/ (ˈklɪtɪk) /

adjective

(of a word) incapable of being stressed, usually pronounced as if part of the word that follows or precedes it: for example, in French, me, te, and le are clitic pronounsSee also proclitic, enclitic

noun

a clitic word

Word Origin for clitic

C20: back formation from enclitic and proclitic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012