preformative

English

Etymology

From pre- (prefix meaning ‘before; physically in front of’) +‎ formative, modelled after Late Latin praeformativus (originally used in relation to the grammar of Semitic languages).

Noun

preformative (plural preformatives)

1. (chiefly in Semitic languages) a formative letter, syllable, etc., at the beginning of a word.

   Synonym: preformant

   • 1828, Moses Stuart, A Grammar of the Hebrew Language:

     Ch. a prefix prep. as in Hebrew, the sign of the dative; also of the genitive and accusative; and as a conj. before the future, which then rejects the preformative, that

Coordinate terms

• afformative

Translations

formative letter, syllable, etc., at the beginning of a word

• German: Präformativ, Präformativum n (archaic)
• Latin: praeformativus

Adjective

preformative (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to preformation.
2. Of a thing: forming or affecting something that comes later.
3. (grammar, chiefly in Semitic languages) of a letter, syllable, etc.: attached to the beginning of a word as a formative element.

Translations

of or pertaining to preformation

of a thing: forming or affecting something that comes later

of a letter, syllable, etc.: attached to the beginning of a word as a formative element

• German: präformativ

Further reading

• prefix on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• performative