parasynthesis

[par-uh-sin-thuh-sis]

noun

Grammar.

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.

parasynthesis

/ ˌpærəsɪnˈθɛtɪk, 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

Other Word Forms

• parasynthetic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parasynthesis¹

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