Definition of polysynthetic in English:
polysynthetic
adjective ˌpɒlɪsɪnˈθɛtɪkˌpɑlisɪnˈθɛdɪk
Denoting or relating to a language characterized by complex words consisting of several morphemes, in which a single word may function as a whole sentence. Many North and South American languages are polysynthetic.
Example sentencesExamples
- Mohawk is a polysynthetic language, in which noun objects can easily be incorporated into the verb.
- Considering that Eskimo languages are polysynthetic it is difficult to compare them to English.
- Unlike English, Iñupiaq is a polysynthetic language - dozens of affixes can add nuance to the meaning of a simple noun like snow.
- As Geoff points out, the Inuit's polysynthetic language puts them in a strong position to make up descriptive words like this.
- Like many Indian languages, it is polysynthetic, meaning that what we would express in a sentence the Maidu express in a single word containing a long string of suffixes.
Definition of polysynthetic in US English:
polysynthetic
adjectiveˌpɑlisɪnˈθɛdɪkˌpälēsinˈTHedik
Denoting or relating to a language characterized by complex words consisting of several morphemes, in which a single word may function as a whole sentence. Many North and South American languages are polysynthetic.
Example sentencesExamples
- As Geoff points out, the Inuit's polysynthetic language puts them in a strong position to make up descriptive words like this.
- Mohawk is a polysynthetic language, in which noun objects can easily be incorporated into the verb.
- Like many Indian languages, it is polysynthetic, meaning that what we would express in a sentence the Maidu express in a single word containing a long string of suffixes.
- Considering that Eskimo languages are polysynthetic it is difficult to compare them to English.
- Unlike English, Iñupiaq is a polysynthetic language - dozens of affixes can add nuance to the meaning of a simple noun like snow.