English dictionary · noun

morpheme

The smallest linguistic unit within a word that can carry a meaning. It may be a letter, a syllable, or otherwise.

Meaning and definitions

1. The smallest linguistic unit within a word that can carry a meaning. It may be a letter, a syllable, or otherwise.

Connected roots

• morph-

  form, shape

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• morphology

  A scientific study of form and structure, usually without regard to function. Especially:

• metamorphosis

  a change of form or nature into a completely different one

• amorphous

  without a clearly defined shape or form

• anthropomorphic

  Having the form of a human.

• polymorphic

  Relating to polymorphism (any sense), able to have several shapes or forms.

• morphogenesis

  The differentiation of tissues and subsequent growth of structures in an organism

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