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Wanderwort

noun
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Wan·​der·​wort | \ ˈwän-dər-ˌwȯrt How to pronounce Wanderwort (audio) , ˈvän-dər-ˌvȯrt \
plural Wanderwörter\ ˈwän-​dər-​ˌwər-​tər How to pronounce Wanderwort (audio) , ˈvän-​dər-​ˌvœr-​tər \ or Wanderworts

Definition of Wanderwort

linguistics
: a word borrowed from one language to another across a broad geographical area often as a result of trade or adoption of newly introduced items or cultural practices

First Known Use of Wanderwort

1980, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Wanderwort

borrowed from German, from wander- (derivative of wandern "to wander, roam," going back to Middle High German) + Wort "word," going back to Old High German — more at wander, word entry 1

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Time Traveler for Wanderwort

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The first known use of Wanderwort was in 1980

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Dictionary Entries Near Wanderwort

wander termite

Wanderwort

wanderyear

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Cite this Entry

“Wanderwort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Wanderwort. Accessed 25 Jun. 2022.

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