allomorph

noun

al·lo·morph ˈa-lə-ˌmȯrf

: one of a set of forms that a morpheme may take in different contexts

the -s of cats, the -en of oxen, and the zero suffix of sheep are allomorphs of the English plural morpheme

allomorphic

ˌa-lə-ˈmȯr-fik

adjective

allomorphism

ˈa-lə-ˌmȯr-ˌfi-zəm

noun

Etymology

allo- + -morph (in morpheme), on the model of allophone : phoneme

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of allomorph was in 1945

See more words from the same year

Style

“Allomorph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allomorph. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

allomorph

noun

al·lo·morph ˈal-ə-ˌmȯrf

: any of two or more distinct crystalline forms of the same substance

: a pseudomorph that has undergone change or substitution of material

allomorphic

ˌal-ə-ˈmȯr-fik

adjective

allomorphism

ˈal-ə-ˌmȯr-ˌfiz-əm

noun

Get Word of the Day daily email!