tmesis

noun

tme·sis (tə-)ˈmē-səs

: separation of parts of a compound word by the intervention of one or more words (such as what place soever for whatsoever place)

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek tmēsis act of cutting, from temnein to cut — more at tome

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tmesis was in 1550

See more words from the same year

Style

“Tmesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tmesis. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

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