lexeme

[ lek-seem ]

noun

, Linguistics.

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

lexeme

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexeme¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexeme¹

C20: from lex ( icon ) + -eme

Related Words

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