- ghost word
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a word that has come into existence by error rather than by normal linguistic transmission, as through the mistaken reading of a manuscript, a scribal error, or a misprint.[1885-90]
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Universalium. 2010.
ghost word
Look at other dictionaries:
ghost word — ghost′ word n. ling. a word that has come into existence by error rather than by normal linguistic transmission • Etymology: 1885–90 … From formal English to slang
ghost word — n. [term invented by W. W. SKEAT W(alter) W(illiam)] a word created through misreading of manuscripts, misunderstanding of grammatical elements, etc. and never really established in a language … English World dictionary
ghost word — noun a word form that has entered the language through the perpetuation of an error • Hypernyms: ↑form, ↑word form, ↑signifier, ↑descriptor * * * noun also ghost name : an accidental word form never in established usage; … Useful english dictionary
Ghost word — A ghost word is a word that has been published in a dictionary, or has been adopted as genuine, as the result of misinterpretation or a typographical error.An example is the supposed Homeric Greek word στητη = woman , which arose thus: In Iliad… … Wikipedia
ghost word — noun Date: 1886 a word form never in established usage … New Collegiate Dictionary
ghost word — noun A fictitious word that has been published in a dictionary, or has been listed as genuine, as the result of misinterpretation or a typographical error … Wiktionary
ghost word — noun a word which is recorded in a dictionary but is not actually used … English new terms dictionary
ghost word — /ˈgoʊst wɜd/ (say gohst werd) noun a word with no etymological basis, created through the misunderstanding of an editor, or the mistake of a scribe or printer …
word — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Written communication Nouns 1. word, term, expression, locution, linguistic unit or form, word form, lexeme; homonym, synonym, antonym, heteronym, homophone; syllable, monosyllable, polysyllable; stem,… … English dictionary for students
word form — noun the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached • Syn: ↑form, ↑signifier,… … Useful english dictionary
