Glossary: morphology and phonology

An inflectional feature of adjectives having to do with comparison of gradable properties (see also: comparative, superlative).

The narrowness of the space between the active articulator and the passive articulator during the production of a sound.

Stress is said to have a demarcative function in the sense that it is often used to signal word boundaries. In such cases, stress occurs on a fixed syllable at the edge of the word. When in such languages listeners hear stressed syllables, they know that there must be a word boundary.

A formation whose base is a noun is called denominal.

Place of articulation of a consonant produced by contact with the teeth.

An element in a compound or syntactic phrase that modifies the head.

The creation of a new lexeme from one or more other lexemes through the application of some morphological process, such as affixation or compounding. Also called lexeme formation and word formation. Derivation contrasts with inflection.

A formation whose base is a verb.

Of a sound normally voiced, produced without vocal fold vibration for part or all of its duration.

Related to language change over time (cf. synchronic).