Bahuvrihis

/ˌbɑːhuːˈvriːhiz/ noun

Definition

Plural form of bahuvrihi; multiple examples of compound words where the meaning is not sum of the parts.

Etymology

Plural of bahuvrihi (Sanskrit origin), following standard English pluralization by adding -s to the Sanskrit loanword.

Kelly Says

English is full of bahuvrihis—'butterfly' has nothing to do with butter, 'understand' doesn't mean literally standing under something, and 'strawberry' has no straw in it—yet we all use these words without realizing they're grammatical rebels.

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