dvandva

noun

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

Word History

Etymology

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

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Dictionary Entries Near dvandva

Cite this Entry

“Dvandva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dvandva. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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