parasynthesis

[ par-uh-sin-thuh-sis ]

nounGrammar.
  1. the formation of a word by the addition of a derivational suffix to a phrase or compound, as of greathearted, which is great heart plus -ed.

  2. the formation of a word by the addition of both a prefix and a derivational suffix to a word or stem, as demoralize.

Origin of parasynthesis

1
First recorded in 1860–65; para-1 + synthesis

Other words from parasynthesis

  • par·a·syn·thet·ic [par-uh-sin-thet-ik], /ˌpær ə sɪnˈθɛt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby parasynthesis

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

British Dictionary definitions for parasynthesis

parasynthesis

/ (ˌpærəˈsɪnθɪsɪs) /


noun
  1. formation of words by means of compounding a phrase and adding an affix, as for example light-headed, which is light + head with the affix -ed

Derived forms of parasynthesis

  • parasynthetic (ˌpærəsɪnˈθɛtɪk), adjective

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