lexeme

American  

[lek-seem] / ˈlɛk sim /

noun

Linguistics.

1. a lexical unit in a language, as a word or base; vocabulary item.

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lexeme British  

/ ˈlɛksiːm /

noun

1. linguistics a minimal meaningful unit of language, the meaning of which cannot be understood from that of its component morphemes. Take off (in the senses to mimic, to become airborne, etc) is a lexeme, as well as the independent morphemes take and off

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Etymology

Origin of lexeme

1935–40; lex(ical) or lex(icon) + -eme

Example Sentences

But today The Fiver finds itself in need of a new collective term, some apt lexeme to describe an assemblage of football icons who all retire at the same time.

From The Guardian

That same year, giving voice to the lexeme was enough to get 19-year-old Emily Parr thrown out of the Big Brother house.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• concept
• expression
• name
• phrase
• sound
• term