endocentric
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en·do·cen·tric
(ĕn′dō-sĕn′trĭk)adj.
1. Of or relating to a group of syntactically related words, at least one of which is functionally equivalent to the function of the whole group. For example, the noun table in the noun phrase the old table is endocentric because it has the same grammatical function as the whole noun phrase.
2. Of or relating to a compound word whose referent is the same as the referent of one of its constituent parts. For example, the noun blackboard is endocentric in that it refers to a type of board.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
endocentric
(ˌɛndəʊˈsɛntrɪk)adj
(Grammar) grammar (of a construction) fulfilling the grammatical role of one of its constituents; as in three blind mice, where the whole noun phrase fulfils the same role as its head noun mice. Compare exocentric
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
en•do•cen•tric
(ˌɛn doʊˈsɛn trɪk)adj.
(of a construction or compound) having the same syntactic function in a sentence as its chief constituent, as cold water, which functions as would the noun water. Compare exocentric.
[1930–35]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Adj. | 1. | endocentric - fulfilling the grammatical role of one of its constituents; "when `three blind mice' serves as a noun it is an endocentric construction" grammar - the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics) exocentric - not fulfilling the same grammatical role of any of its constituents; "when `until last Easter' serves as an adverb it is an exocentric construction" |
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