How Do You Spell SUPPLETIVE?

Pronunciation: [sˈʌpə͡ltˌɪv] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Suppletive" may seem a bit confusing at first glance, but it actually follows the rules of English phonetics. The word is pronounced /səˈpliːtɪv/ (suh-plee-tiv), with the stress on the second syllable. The "supp" part of the word is spelled with a double "p" to indicate a stressed syllable, while the "letive" part is spelled with a single "t" because the stress falls on the following syllable. Suppletive is an adjective that describes a word that does not derive from the same root as the other words in its paradigm.

SUPPLETIVE Meaning and Definition

1. Suppletive is an adjective that refers to a linguistic phenomenon in which the root or base form of a word is replaced by an entirely different form to indicate a grammatical distinction or express a certain meaning. This substitution occurs in irregular or defective language paradigms, where the usual patterns of inflection or derivation are not followed.

   In suppletive forms, the replacement word bears no obvious phonetic or semantic connection to the regular word it is replacing. For example, the verb "to be" in English has a suppletive form in the present tense, where the root "is" is replaced by "am" for the first-person singular and "are" for the second-person singular and all plural forms.

   Suppletive forms are usually retained across different tenses or inflectional categories. They often appear in morphologically complex areas of language, such as comparatives and superlatives, where the regular derivational processes do not work.

   Suppletives are relatively rare in languages, but they are often found in the world's oldest languages and among the most frequent and fundamental vocabulary items. Due to their irregularity, suppletives can pose challenges in language learning and may require memorization of each distinct form. Their existence contributes to the richness and complexity of language systems, and they showcase the unique historical and cultural developments that have shaped individual languages over time.

2. Supplying deficiencies.

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

Etymology of SUPPLETIVE

The word "suppletive" has its roots in the Latin word "suppletivus", which is derived from the verb "supplere", meaning "to fill up" or "to make complete". "Suppletus" is the past participle of "supplere" and carries the meaning of "having been supplied" or "having been supplemented". In English, this term has been adapted and used to describe linguistic phenomena where an entirely different word form is used to express a particular grammatical function or meaning instead of the regular or expected form.