enclitic

What is another word for enclitic? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A short word or particle that attaches to and is pronounced with the word before it.

We haven't recorded synonyms for enclitic yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use enclitic

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

an enclitic pronoun an enclitic particle enclitic form function as an enclitic

This is a technical term used mainly in linguistics and grammar.

Etymology

Enclitic derives from Late Latin encliticus, taken from the Ancient Greek enklitikos, meaning inclined towards. That Greek word comes from enklinein, to lean on, itself built from en, meaning upon, and klinein, to lean.

Full origin of enclitic →

Frequently asked questions

What does enclitic mean?

An enclitic is a short word or ending that attaches itself to the word before it, both in speech and often in writing.

What is an example of an enclitic in English?

The shortened 've in a phrase like we've behaves as an enclitic, joining onto the preceding word.

What is a related term to enclitic?

A related term is proclitic, a clitic that attaches to the following word rather than the one before it.

Nearby words

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