lexicostatistics

American

[lek-si-koh-stuh-tis-tiks] / ˌlɛk sɪ koʊ stəˈtɪs tɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

the statistical study of the vocabulary of a language or languages for historical purposes.

lexicostatistics British

/ ˌlɛksɪkəʊstəˈtɪstɪks /

noun

(functioning as singular) the statistical study of the vocabulary of a language, with special attention to the historical links with other languages See also glottochronology

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of lexicostatistics

First recorded in 1955–60; lexic(on) + -o- + statistics

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