pheme
/fiːm/Philosophy and Linguistics. rare
noun
Originally, in the work of American philosopher C. S. Peirce (1839–1914): a sign which functions as, or is equivalent to, a grammatical sentence. Now more generally: an inflected or compound word, or a sequence of words, regarded as a unit having grammatical meaning rather than as a means of conveying sense and reference.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Charles Peirce (1839–1914), scientist and philosopher. From ancient Greek ϕήμη words, speech from ϕάναι to say + -μη, suffix forming nouns.