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dvandva

noun
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dvan·​dva | \ ˈdvän(ˌ)dvä, dəˈv-, -vəndvə \
plural dvandvas or dvandva

Definition of dvandva

: a class of compound words having two immediate constituents that are equal in rank and related to each other as if joined by and : a compound word belonging to this class (as bittersweet, secretary-treasurer, sociopolitical) — see copulative entry 2 sense 2

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History and Etymology for dvandva

Sanskrit dvaṁdva, literally, a pair, couple, reduplication of dva two

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“Dvandva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dvandva. Accessed 27 Oct. 2020.

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