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neologism

 - 5 dictionary results

ne⋅ol⋅o⋅gism

  [nee-ol-uh-jiz-uhm]
Use neologism in a Sentence
–noun
1. a new word, meaning, usage, or phrase.
2. the introduction or use of new words or new senses of existing words.
3. a new doctrine, esp. a new interpretation of sacred writings.
4. Psychiatry. a new word, often consisting of a combination of other words, that is understood only by the speaker: occurring most often in the speech of schizophrenics.
Origin:
1790–1800; < F néologisme. See neology, -ism

Related forms:
ne⋅ol⋅o⋅gist, noun
ne⋅ol⋅o⋅gis⋅tic, ne⋅ol⋅o⋅gis⋅ti⋅cal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ne·ol·o·gism   (nē-ŏl'ə-jĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. A new word, expression, or usage.

  2. The creation or use of new words or senses.

  3. Psychology

    1. The invention of new words regarded as a symptom of certain psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.

    2. A word so invented.

  4. Theology A new doctrine or a new interpretation of scripture.

ne·ol'o·gist n., ne·ol'o·gis'tic, ne·ol'o·gis'ti·cal adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

neologism 
"practice of innovation in language," 1800, from Fr. néologisme, from neo- + logos "word." Meaning "new word or expression" is from 1803. Neological is attested from 1754.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ne·ol·o·gism
Pronunciation: nE-'äl-&-"jiz-&m
Function: noun
1 : a new word, usage, or expression
2 : a word coined by a psychotic that is meaningless except to the coiner
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

neologism ne·ol·o·gism (nē-ŏl'ə-jĭz'əm)
n.
A meaningless word used by a psychotic.

ne·ol'o·gis'tic or ne·ol'o·gis'ti·cal adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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