holophrasis

American

[huh-lof-ruh-sis] / həˈlɒf rə sɪs /

noun

PLURAL

holophrases

the expression of the ideas of a phrase or sentence in one word; polysynthesis.

a language characterized by holophrasis.

Etymology

Origin of holophrasis

1865–70; holo- + Greek phrásis; phrase

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both the above characteristics, I mean Polysynthesis and Incorporation, are unconscious efforts to carry out a certain theory of speech which has aptly enough been termed holophrasis, or the putting the whole of a phrase into a single word.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023