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For instance when an object is assigned a word when the language is being formed, what is this called?

Before a tree was a tree, it was something else, but the act of assigning the name "tree" to it, is called what?

2007-04-10 18:25:54 · 7 answers · asked by Charles B 1 in Society & Culture Languages

7 answers

An invented word is called a 'coined' word - a word made to fill a need. New words are coined frequently - some make it into normal use, some don't.

An example of one that did: Google - originally coined by a mathematician to denote the number 1 followed by 100 zeroes.
One that didn't: s/he - coined to fill a perceived need for a unisex pronoun.

A 'nonce word' is a particular type of a coined word. A nonce word is a word coined for a specific, one-time use, with no intent (at least at the time) for it to become a normal word. Lewis Carroll of Alice in Wonderland used nonce words regularly - brillig, slithey, etc. At least one (chortle) came into regular use. All nonce words are coined words, but not all coined words are nonce words.

A neologism is broader than just a word. That covers all new usages: newly coined words, different meanings applied to existing words, and newly combined phrases. All coined words are neologisms, but not all neologisms are coined words.

2007-04-11 03:39:13 · answer #1 · answered by dollhaus 7 · 2 0

The act of assigning a name to something is simply called "naming". That's the definition of naming.

As all words are invented, the word for an invented word is "word"

Languages are in a perpetual state of "being formed". New "words" are constantly added as new things are "named".

2007-04-10 18:32:49 · answer #2 · answered by i wonder... 2 · 1 1

properly, languages have been (theoretically) ordinarily began for commerce applications. This caveman had maximum of weapons, and that one lots meat... so which you will understand the choose. Crudeness of drawing and hand gestures many times grew to become the a definite blend of grunts and such- and grew to become the familiar sound *ahem, be conscious* interior of that section for 'meat' or 'i choose'. human beings have consistently had sexual urges- so as that's the place the grimy be conscious got here in (in all probability located after 'i choose'--hahaha)... and once you sense strongly for somebody you come across any way you are able to to precise it... aka incredible grunts. to respond to your different questions- no person invented each be conscious- this sort of existence of that area varieties that's very own version of languages (as a result British English and American English)... for anybody to have the comparable proper language- we'd might desire to all have the comparable proper instructors. and in lots of cases words are formed and propose some thing- yet somebody (like a author, poet, or psychological- or perhaps human beings like dock-workers and such) might make up a sparkling be conscious for the comparable ingredient. to illustrate, in Romeo and Juliet- Shakespeare employed the 1st use of 'kiss'- whilst it replace into initially 'snog' (and nonetheless is in numerous British way of existence).

2016-10-21 14:34:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Above are a few answers. I not use a Technical Word and say it is a Facsimile, OK, I guess that was a technical word. Sorry. And I guess Facsimile is Technically using the same word. But, life can be complicated so we never sure.

2007-04-10 18:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0 2

A new word is a neologism. If it's made up as a one-time thing, it's a nonce word.

2007-04-10 18:30:24 · answer #5 · answered by Doc Occam 7 · 4 1

Neodenomination or neonaming

2007-04-10 18:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by martox45 7 · 0 1

spoonerism? just a guess

2007-04-10 18:33:31 · answer #7 · answered by mliz55 6 · 0 2

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