lexicalisation

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Lexicalisation (noun)

Definition: Lexicalisation is the process of creating a new word or phrase to express a specific idea or concept. This often happens when a concept becomes important in society and needs a name.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "lexicalisation" when discussing language development or how new words come into use.
• It is often used in linguistic studies or when talking about how language evolves.

Example:

• When smartphones became popular, the term "selfie" underwent lexicalisation, as it was created to describe the act of taking a photo of oneself.

Advanced Usage:

• In linguistics, lexicalisation can refer to how certain phrases or idioms become fixed in language, meaning they are used so frequently that they are treated as single words. For example, "kick the bucket" is a lexicalised expression that means "to die."

Word Variants:

• Lexicalise (verb): To create a new word or phrase.
  • Example: "The internet has lexicalised many terms related to technology."
• Lexical (adjective): Related to the words or vocabulary of a language.
  • Example: "The lexical choices in her essay were very sophisticated."

Different Meanings:

• While "lexicalisation" specifically refers to the creation of words, it can also refer to how existing words take on new meanings or uses over time.

Synonyms:

• Word formation
• Vocabulary development
• Neologism (the creation of new words)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "lexicalisation," many idioms can undergo lexicalisation if they become commonly used. For example, "to hit the books" means "to study," and it has become a lexicalised phrase in English.

Summary:

In summary, "lexicalisation" is an important concept in understanding how language changes and adapts to new ideas.

Academic

Noun

1. the process of making a word to express a concept

Synonyms

• lexicalization