PORTMANTEAUX Meaning and
Definition
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A portmanteau is a linguistic term referring to a word that is formed by combining two or more words, where the new word carries the meanings and/or sounds of the original words. The concept of portmanteaux originates from the use of a large suitcase called a "portmanteau" in which multiple items could be packed and transported.
In language, a portmanteau combines aspects of both words it is derived from. Typically, the new word is formed by merging their sounds and meanings, often in a playful or inventive manner. This process may involve blending the beginning or ending sounds of each word, or combining parts of the words in a way that is creative and effective at conveying a unique meaning. Portmanteaux are commonly used to create new terms that represent a combination of two related or connected concepts.
The use of portmanteaux can be found in various contexts, including literature, popular culture, and everyday speech. Well-known examples include "brunch" (breakfast + lunch), "smog" (smoke + fog), and "spork" (spoon + fork). These words provide a convenient and concise way to express a compound idea or concept, often bringing together the best features or traits of the original words. Portmanteaux serve as a valuable tool in enriching language, encouraging creativity, and facilitating efficient communication.
Common Misspellings for PORTMANTEAUX
- -portmanteau
- -portmanteaus
- oortmanteaux
- lortmanteaux
- -ortmanteaux
- 0ortmanteaux
- pirtmanteaux
- pkrtmanteaux
- plrtmanteaux
- pprtmanteaux
- p0rtmanteaux
- p9rtmanteaux
- poetmanteaux
- podtmanteaux
- poftmanteaux
- pottmanteaux
- po5tmanteaux
- po4tmanteaux
- porrmanteaux
- porfmanteaux
Etymology of PORTMANTEAUX
The word "portmanteau" comes from French, where it originally referred to a type of large suitcase with two compartments. The term was coined in the late 16th century from the combination of two French words: "porter" (to carry) and "manteau" (cloak). The idea behind the word is that these suitcases could carry both the traveler's clothing and their cloak in separate compartments.
The term "portmanteau" gained a new meaning in the mid-19th century when it was borrowed into English literature by Lewis Carroll. In Carroll's famous work "Through the Looking-Glass", Humpty Dumpty explains the concept of blending words by saying, "You see it's like a portmanteau—there are two meanings packed up into one word".
Similar spelling word for PORTMANTEAUX
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