How Do You Spell PORTMANTEAU?

Pronunciation: [pˈɔːtmantˌə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The word "portmanteau" (pɔːtˈmæntoʊ) is a term used to describe a combination of two or more words that form a new word. Interestingly, the spelling of this word is a portmanteau itself. It is a combination of "port" and "manteau," which means "coat" in French. The word is commonly used in literary and linguistic circles to describe unique and creative word creations. Understanding the spelling of "portmanteau" can help you appreciate the complexity and creativity involved in the formation of new words.

PORTMANTEAU Meaning and Definition

1. A portmanteau is a linguistic term that refers to a word derived from combining the sounds and meanings of two or more separate words. It is a linguistic blend that combines elements of two different words to create a new word with a merged meaning and sound. The concept of a portmanteau is derived from the French word "porter" (to carry) and "manteau" (a coat or cloak). In this context, it signifies that a portmanteau word carries the elements of multiple words combined into one.

   Portmanteaus are created by blending the sounds and meanings of the combined words in order to form a new word that represents a concept or idea related to both of the original words. The process of creating a portmanteau involves taking the initial segments of two words and merging them into a single word that includes aspects of both origins. This can result in a word with a unique meaning that combines the concepts of the original words.

   Portmanteaus are often used to label new or invented ideas, objects, or phenomena, and are commonly found in fields such as technology, science, and popular culture. Notable examples of portmanteaus include "brunch" (breakfast + lunch), "smog" (smoke + fog), and "spork" (spoon + fork). They have become an integral part of language evolution and serve as a creative means of expressing ideas concisely and often humorously.

2. A leather case or trunk for clothes, &c., in travelling; a leather case attached to a saddle behind the rider.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PORTMANTEAU *

• portmenteau 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PORTMANTEAU

• oortmanteau
• lortmanteau
• -ortmanteau
• 0ortmanteau
• pirtmanteau
• pkrtmanteau
• plrtmanteau
• pprtmanteau
• p0rtmanteau
• p9rtmanteau
• poetmanteau
• podtmanteau
• poftmanteau
• pottmanteau
• po5tmanteau
• portmanteaux
• portmantaux
• Portemanteau
• Portamantau
• portamanterau
• Portpaneau
• Portmantele

Etymology of PORTMANTEAU

The word "portmanteau" originated from the French language. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old French words "porter" (to carry) and "manteau" (mantle or cloak). In the past, a "portmanteau" referred to a large suitcase or trunk that could be opened into two equal parts. It was designed for carrying clothes and personal belongings while traveling. Lewis Carroll later introduced the term "portmanteau word" in his book "Through the Looking-Glass" (1871), where he used it to describe a type of word formed by merging two pre-existing words. Over time, the term "portmanteau" came to be used in linguistics to describe such blended words.

Similar spelling words for PORTMANTEAU

• portentous,
• portentously.

Plural form of PORTMANTEAU is PORTMANTEAUS OR PORTMANTEAUX