Unit 4: Word Formation
4.4 Compounds
Words formed by COMPOUNDING contain two or more root morphemes. All the major parts of speech and some of the minor ones contain potential elements of compounds in various combinations. The list below is merely a selection. The meaning of a compound can often be paraphrased as a phrase or clause. Thus a motorway is a way for motors, and a room which is soundproof is proof against sound. In both these cases, the meaning of the compound can be deduced from its parts: these are TRANSPARENT COMPOUNDS. In other cases the meaning is less obvious. A blackbird is not just any black bird but a member of a particular species, while a turncoat has the figurative meaning of "a person who changes his political allegiance". Such compounds are OPAQUE. Compounds can be analysed as follows:
| Aj black | + | N bird | = | blackbird N |
| Av down | + | N market | = | downmarket Av/Aj |
| N motor | + | N way | = | motorway N |
| N sound | + | Aj proof | = | soundproof Aj |
| V turn | + | N coat | = | turncoat N |
