protoformn.adj.
/ˈprəʊtə(ʊ)fɔːm/, U.S. /ˈproʊdəˌfɔrm/ Linguistics.
A hypothetical form of a word or part of a word from which attested words have been derived; a form reconstructed in a proto-language. Also attributive or as adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > [noun] > linguistic change > earlier form of a word
protoform1913
preform1932
1913 Jrnl. Afr. Soc. 12 405 W and Y stems. Both of which are referable to original proto-forms beginning with the consonant ‘p’.
1965 Canad. Jrnl. Linguistics 10 94 Reconstruction of proto-form phonological shapes.
1976 Archivum Linguisticum 7 63 Both of these assumed proto-forms might appear surprising in view of the dearth of direct evidence in Latin texts and inscriptions.
1998 Euralex '98 Proc. II. vi. 460 Even the best experts in the history of English words seldom have original ideas on the protoform of eight.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1913