portmanteau
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1port·man·teau
noun \pȯrt-ˈman-(ˌ)tō\ plural port·man·teaus or port·man·teaux\-(ˌ)tōz\
Definition of PORTMANTEAU
1
: a large suitcase
2
: a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms (as smog from smoke and fog)
See Examples of PORTMANTEAU
- <carried her possessions with her in an old portmanteau>
Origin of PORTMANTEAU
Middle French portemanteau, from porter to carry + manteau mantle, from Latin mantellum — more at port
First Known Use: 1579
Related to PORTMANTEAU
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2portmanteau
adjectiveDefinition of PORTMANTEAU
1
: combining more than one use or quality
2
: being a portmanteau <a portmanteau word>
First Known Use of PORTMANTEAU
1909
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
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