Agglutinative is a term that is used to describe a type of language that uses suffixes and prefixes to combine words and convey meaning. This type of language is unique in that it allows for the creation of complex words that can convey a lot of information in a single word.
Definitions
Agglutinative is an adjective that is used to describe a language that uses agglutination, which is the process of combining words to create new ones. This type of language is characterized by the use of suffixes and prefixes that are added to words to indicate tense, case, gender, and other grammatical features.
Origin
The term agglutinative comes from the Latin word agglutinare, which means “to glue together.” This reflects the way in which agglutinative languages combine words to create new ones.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, agglutinative means “characterized by agglutination, especially of morphemes.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “pertaining to or characterized by agglutination; having a tendency to agglutinate.”
Associations
Agglutinative languages are associated with certain regions of the world, including parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are also associated with certain language families, such as the Uralic, Altaic, and Dravidian families.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of agglutinative include affixal, inflectional, and polysynthetic.
Antonyms
Antonyms of agglutinative include isolating and fusional. Isolating languages are those that use separate words to convey meaning, while fusional languages use inflection to convey meaning.
The same root words
There are several words that share the same root as agglutinative, including agglutinate, agglutination, and agglutinogen.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word agglutinative:
- The agglutinative nature of the language made it difficult for me to learn.
- The suffixes and prefixes in agglutinative languages can convey a lot of information in a single word.
- Some linguists believe that agglutinative languages are easier to learn than fusional languages.
- The agglutinative features of the language were evident in the way that words were combined to create new ones.
- Agglutinative languages are known for their ability to create complex words that convey a lot of information in a single word.