suppletive

[ suh-plee-tiv, suhp-li-tiv ]

/ səˈpli tɪv, ˈsʌp lɪ tɪv /

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serving as an inflected form of a word with a totally different stem, as went, the suppletive past of go.

including one or more such forms: a suppletive paradigm.

characterized by the use of such forms: suppletive inflection.

QUIZZES

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 12

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

1810–20; <Medieval Latin supplētīvus, equivalent to Latin supplēt(us) (past participle of supplēre to fill up; see suppletion) + -īvus-ive