A level quiz 2

Acronym

A word formed from the initial letters of two or more successive words (e.g. UNESCO: United

Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

Initialism

An abbreviation consisting of initial letters pronounced separately

Amelioration

Where a word takes on a more positive connotation over time (e.g. nice originally meant foolish).

Archaism

A word which is no longer in everyday use, or has lost a particular meaning in current usage.

Backformation

The formation of a word from another one, from which it appears to be derived (e.g. the verb to

babysit from the earlier babysitter).

Blending

Forming a new word by combining the beginning of one word with the end of another (e.g. motel

from motor and hotel).

Borrowing

Introducing specific words or forms of words from one language into another (e.g. pasta from

Italian into English, or weekend from English into French).

Broadening

Where the meaning of a word becomes broader or more inclusive than its earlier meaning (e.g.

the earlier meaning of dog referred to a specific breed of dog rather than the whole species).

Clipping

Where a word is shortened to form a new variant (e.g. advertisement becomes ad or advert).

Coinage

The creation of new words (i.e. neologisms) in a language.

Colloquial

The casual conversation of everyday language.

Compounding

Forming a word from two or more units that are themselves words (e.g. whiteboard from white and

board).

Conversion

Creating a new word by using an existing word in a different word class (e.g. the noun green in

golf was converted from the adjective green).

Derivation

Creating a new word from an existing word, often with the addition of a prefix or suffix (e.g.

unwilling derives from will with the prefix un- and the suffix -ing).

Eponym

The name of something that is also the name of someone credited with inventing or discovering it.

Narrowing

When the meaning of a word becomes narrower or more limited than its earlier meaning (e.g. the

earlier form of meat originally referred to all food but now generally only refers to food in the form

of animal flesh).

Neology

The process through which new words (neologisms) are formed, including acronyms, blends,

compounds and eponyms.

Obsolete

In language, relates to words which are no longer in use and often no longer understood.

Pejoration

When a word takes on a more negative connotation over time (e.g. silly once meant blessed).

Telescoping

The contraction of a phrase, word or part of a word – like a telescope being closed (e.g.

biodegradable from biologically degradable).

Phonology

The study of the cognitive aspects of sounds and sound patterns (i.e. how we attach meaning to

speech sounds).

Morphology

The study of words and the various forms they take.