Definition of tmesis
: separation of parts of a compound word by the intervention of one or more words (such as what place soever for whatsoever place)
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share tmesis
Time Traveler for tmesis
The first known use of tmesis was in 1550
See more words from the same year