a class of compound words consisting of two elements the first of which is a specific feature of the second
2.
a compound word of this type, such as hunchback, bluebell, highbrow
Word origin
C19: from Sanskrit bahuvrīhi, itself this type of compound, from bahu much + vrīh rice
bahuvrihi in American English
(ˌbɑːhuːˈvrihi)
nounWord forms: plural-his
Grammar
a compound noun or adjective consisting of two constituents, the first of which is adjectival and describes the person or object denoted by the second, which is nominal: the compound as a whole denotes or describes a person or object having what is denoted by the second element,as bonehead, heavy-handed, redcoat
Word origin
[1840–50; ‹ Skt: lit., having much rice, equiv. to bahu- much + vrīhi rice; used to name the type of compound word of which it is an example]This word is first recorded in the period 1840–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: bypass, plaque, sensationalism, striation, warmup