ENCLITICAL Meaning and
Definition
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Enclitical, as an adjective, refers to something that is dependent on or closely connected to another word or phrase, typically appearing as a separate word or syllable before or after it, and functioning together as a unit of meaning within a sentence or phrase. This linguistic term originates from the Greek word "enkli̱tikó̱s," meaning "inclined to lean on" or "dependent," which accurately reflects its meaning.
In grammar, an enclitical word is added to the end of a preceding word or phrase, often modifying or intensifying its meaning or functioning as a pronoun or clitic. These enclitics usually have a weakened stress or tonic accent, causing them to attach to another word or morpheme. Examples of enclitics in various languages include the English contractions "don't," "let's," and "doesn't," the Spanish pronouns "lo," "la," and "le," and the Romanian personal pronouns "lui," "lor," and "ni." These enclitics provide additional information or complete the meaning of the main word, contributing to the structure and cohesiveness of a sentence.
Overall, the term "enclitical" pertains to the syntactic and functional relationship between words, highlighting their interdependence within a sentence. Its usage is primarily confined to linguistics and grammatical analysis, enabling scholars and enthusiasts to better understand the intricate nature of language structure and communication.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ENCLITICAL
- wnclitical
- snclitical
- dnclitical
- rnclitical
- 4nclitical
- 3nclitical
- ebclitical
- emclitical
- ejclitical
- ehclitical
- enxlitical
- envlitical
- enflitical
- endlitical
- enckitical
- encpitical
- encoitical
- enclutical
- encljtical
Etymology of ENCLITICAL
The word "enclitical" has its roots in the Greek language. It comes from the Greek word "enklitikos", which means "leaning on". "Enklitikos" is derived from the prefix "en", meaning "in" or "on", and the word "klisis", meaning "inflexion" or "leaning". In Greek grammar, an enclitic is an unstressed word or particle that attaches to the end of another word, essentially leaning on it for support. The term "enclitical" has been adopted into English to describe words or particles that are closely connected to the preceding word and depend on it for meaning or pronunciation.
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