Words

Definition of Words by Prof.

Charles Hockett: A word is any segment of a

sentence bounded by successive points at

which pausing is possible.

Example: Since (p) the (p) streetlamp (p) is (p) out, (p) I (p)

must (p) call up (p) our (p) councilman.

(P) means pause and every segment between two Ps is a word

Simple and Complex Words

1. Simple words consist of single free morpheme.

* Example: long. 2. Complex words contain,

as their ICs, either two bound forms or a bound

and a free form. * Example of two bound forms as ICs: tele | vise. * Example of bound and

free forms as ICs: eras | er

Compound Words

The third class of words is compound words. These have free forms, usually two

words joined together. *Example: green | house.

!A small number of compound words have three or four free forms joined together

as coordinate immediate constituents.*Example: happy - go - lucky.

Types of Compounds

a. Open Compoundwhen two or more

free morphemes form a word but are

written separately. they express a single idea and considered

to be one word. *Example: fruit salad.

B. Hyphenated Compound:

when two or more free morphemes form a word but are written within hyphens between them. they express a single

idea and considered to be one word.

* Example: Jack-in-the box

C. Solid Compound:

when two free morphemes form a word

and are written without separation.

They express one idea. * Example: Typewriter