SettingsLinguistic morphology
Accidental gap
In linguistics an accidental gap, also known as a gap or a hole in the pattern, is a word or other form that does not exist in some language but which would be expected to exist give...
In linguistics an accidental gap, also known as a gap or a hole in the pattern, is a word or other form that does not exist in some language but which would be expected to exist give...
Affection (linguistics)
In Celtic linguistics, affection (also known as vowel affection or infection) is the change in the quality of a vowel under the influence of the vowel of the following, final syllable.
In Celtic linguistics, affection (also known as vowel affection or infection) is the change in the quality of a vowel under the influence of the vowel of the following, final syllable.
Agent noun
In linguistics, an agent noun is a word that is derived from another word denoting an action, and that identifies an entity that does that action.
In linguistics, an agent noun is a word that is derived from another word denoting an action, and that identifies an entity that does that action.
Agglutination
In contemporary linguistics, agglutination usually refers to the kind of morphological derivation in which there is a one-to-one correspondence between affixes and syntactical categories.
In contemporary linguistics, agglutination usually refers to the kind of morphological derivation in which there is a one-to-one correspondence between affixes and syntactical categories.
Allocutive agreement
In linguistics, allocutive agreement refers to a morphological feature in which the gender of an addressee is marked overtly in an utterance.
In linguistics, allocutive agreement refers to a morphological feature in which the gender of an addressee is marked overtly in an utterance.
Allomorph
An allomorph is a linguistics term for a variant form of a morpheme.
An allomorph is a linguistics term for a variant form of a morpheme.
Alternation (linguistics)
In linguistics, an alternation is the phenomenon of a phoneme or morpheme exhibiting variation in its phonological realization.
In linguistics, an alternation is the phenomenon of a phoneme or morpheme exhibiting variation in its phonological realization.
Animacy
Animacy is a grammatical and/or semantic category of nouns based on how sentient or alive the referent of the noun in a given taxonomic scheme is.
Animacy is a grammatical and/or semantic category of nouns based on how sentient or alive the referent of the noun in a given taxonomic scheme is.
Apophony
In linguistics, apophony is the alternation of sounds within a word that indicates grammatical information.
In linguistics, apophony is the alternation of sounds within a word that indicates grammatical information.
Augment (linguistics)
In linguistics, the augment is a syllable added to the beginning of the word in certain Indo-European languages, most notably Greek, Armenian, and the Indo-Iranian languages such as Sanskrit, to...
In linguistics, the augment is a syllable added to the beginning of the word in certain Indo-European languages, most notably Greek, Armenian, and the Indo-Iranian languages such as Sanskrit, to...
Augmentative
An augmentative is a morphological form of a word which expresses greater intensity, often in size, but also in other attributes.
An augmentative is a morphological form of a word which expresses greater intensity, often in size, but also in other attributes.
Back-formation
In etymology, back-formation is the process of creating a new lexeme by removing actual or supposed affixes.
In etymology, back-formation is the process of creating a new lexeme by removing actual or supposed affixes.
Bahuvrihi
A bahuvrihi compound (from Sanskrit बहुव्रीहि, bahuvrīhi, literally meaning "possessing much rice") is a type of compound that denotes a referent by specifying a certain characteristic or qu...
A bahuvrihi compound (from Sanskrit बहुव्रीहि, bahuvrīhi, literally meaning "possessing much rice") is a type of compound that denotes a referent by specifying a certain characteristic or qu...
Balancing and deranking
In linguistics, balancing and deranking are terms used to describe the form of verbs used in various types of subordinate clauses and also sometimes in co-ordinate constructions.
In linguistics, balancing and deranking are terms used to describe the form of verbs used in various types of subordinate clauses and also sometimes in co-ordinate constructions.
Blocking (linguistics)
Blocking in linguistics, or more specifically in morphology, refers to the unacceptability of applying a morphological process on a certain word due to the presence of a competing form.
Blocking in linguistics, or more specifically in morphology, refers to the unacceptability of applying a morphological process on a certain word due to the presence of a competing form.
Bracketing (linguistics)
In linguistics, particularly linguistic morphology, bracketing is a term of art that refers to how an utterance can be represented as a hierarchical tree of constituent parts.
In linguistics, particularly linguistic morphology, bracketing is a term of art that refers to how an utterance can be represented as a hierarchical tree of constituent parts.
Bracketing paradox
In linguistic morphology, the term bracketing paradox refers to morphologically complex words which apparently have more than one incompatible analysis, or bracketing, simultaneously.
In linguistic morphology, the term bracketing paradox refers to morphologically complex words which apparently have more than one incompatible analysis, or bracketing, simultaneously.
Broken plural
In linguistics, a broken plural is an irregular plural form of a noun or adjective found in the Semitic languages and other Afroasiatic languages such as Berber.
In linguistics, a broken plural is an irregular plural form of a noun or adjective found in the Semitic languages and other Afroasiatic languages such as Berber.
Causative
In linguistics, a causative (abbreviated ) is a form that indicates that a subject causes someone or something else to do or be something, or causes a change in state of a non-volitional event.
In linguistics, a causative (abbreviated ) is a form that indicates that a subject causes someone or something else to do or be something, or causes a change in state of a non-volitional event.
Cheshirisation
Cheshirisation, or cheshirization, is a term coined by James Matisoff to refer to a type of sound change where a trace remains of a sound that has otherwise disappeared from a word.
Cheshirisation, or cheshirization, is a term coined by James Matisoff to refer to a type of sound change where a trace remains of a sound that has otherwise disappeared from a word.
Cheshirization
Cheshirisation, or cheshirization, is a term coined by James Matisoff to refer to a type of sound change where a trace remains of a sound that has otherwise disappeared from a word.
Cheshirisation, or cheshirization, is a term coined by James Matisoff to refer to a type of sound change where a trace remains of a sound that has otherwise disappeared from a word.
Classical compound
Classical compounds (also known as neoclassical compounds, and combining forms) are compound words composed from Latin or Ancient Greek root words.
Classical compounds (also known as neoclassical compounds, and combining forms) are compound words composed from Latin or Ancient Greek root words.
Clipping (morphology)
In linguistics, clipping is the word formation process which consists in the reduction of a word to one of its parts (Marchand:1969).
In linguistics, clipping is the word formation process which consists in the reduction of a word to one of its parts (Marchand:1969).
Code-mixing
Code-mixing refers to the mixing of two or more languages or language varieties in speech.
Code-mixing refers to the mixing of two or more languages or language varieties in speech.
Collocational restriction
Collocational restriction is a linguistic term used in morphology.
Collocational restriction is a linguistic term used in morphology.
Combining form
In the linguistics of word formation, a combining form (also neoclassical element) is a bound base designed to combine with another combining form or a free word.
In the linguistics of word formation, a combining form (also neoclassical element) is a bound base designed to combine with another combining form or a free word.
Compound (linguistics)
In linguistics, a compound is a lexeme (less precisely, a word) that consists of more than one stem.
In linguistics, a compound is a lexeme (less precisely, a word) that consists of more than one stem.
Confix
A confix is an affix which consists of at least a prefix and a suffix that is placed before and after a root word.
A confix is an affix which consists of at least a prefix and a suffix that is placed before and after a root word.
Consonant gradation
Consonant gradation is a type of consonant mutation, in which consonants alternate between various "grades".
Consonant gradation is a type of consonant mutation, in which consonants alternate between various "grades".
Consonant mutation
Consonant mutation is when a consonant in a word changes according to its morphological and/or syntactic environment.
Consonant mutation is when a consonant in a word changes according to its morphological and/or syntactic environment.
Contrast (linguistics)
In semantics, contrast is a relationship between two discourse segments.
In semantics, contrast is a relationship between two discourse segments.
Conversion (linguistics)
In linguistics, conversion, also called zero derivation, is a kind of word formation; specifically, it is the creation of a word from an existing word without any change in form.
In linguistics, conversion, also called zero derivation, is a kind of word formation; specifically, it is the creation of a word from an existing word without any change in form.
Declension
In linguistics, declension is the inflection of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and articles to indicate number, case, and gender.
In linguistics, declension is the inflection of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and articles to indicate number, case, and gender.
Deflexion (linguistics)
Deflexion is a linguistic process related to inflectional languages.
Deflexion is a linguistic process related to inflectional languages.
Derivation (linguistics)
In linguistics, derivation is the process of forming a new word on the basis of an existing word, e.g. happi-ness and un-happy from happy, or determination from determine.
In linguistics, derivation is the process of forming a new word on the basis of an existing word, e.g. happi-ness and un-happy from happy, or determination from determine.
Derivational morphology
Derivational morphology changes the meaning of words by applying derivations.
Derivational morphology changes the meaning of words by applying derivations.
Descriptive marker
A descriptive marker is a grammatic feature of certain languages.
A descriptive marker is a grammatic feature of certain languages.
Devi and Vrkis feminines
In Vedic Sanskrit, the and inflections are two types of inflection of feminine ī-stems.
In Vedic Sanskrit, the and inflections are two types of inflection of feminine ī-stems.
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form, is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulatio...
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form, is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulatio...
Distributed morphology
In generative linguistics, Distributed Morphology is a framework for theories of morphology introduced in 1993 by Morris Halle and Alec Marantz.
In generative linguistics, Distributed Morphology is a framework for theories of morphology introduced in 1993 by Morris Halle and Alec Marantz.
Dvandva
A dvandva or twin or Siamese compound refers to one or more objects that could be connected in sense by the conjunction 'and', where the objects refer to the parts of an agglomeration described ...
A dvandva or twin or Siamese compound refers to one or more objects that could be connected in sense by the conjunction 'and', where the objects refer to the parts of an agglomeration described ...
Elative (gradation)
In Semitic linguistics, the elative is a stage of gradation in Arabic that can be used both for a superlative and comparative.
In Semitic linguistics, the elative is a stage of gradation in Arabic that can be used both for a superlative and comparative.
Endocentric
In linguistics, an endocentric construction is a grammatical construction that fulfills the same linguistic function as one of its parts.
In linguistics, an endocentric construction is a grammatical construction that fulfills the same linguistic function as one of its parts.
EXoSkeletal Model (Linguistics)
The eXoSkeletal Model in linguistics, or XSM, is a generative framework in morphology and morphosyntax, introduced in the work of Hagit Borer, professor of linguistics at the University of...
The eXoSkeletal Model in linguistics, or XSM, is a generative framework in morphology and morphosyntax, introduced in the work of Hagit Borer, professor of linguistics at the University of...
Exponent (linguistics)
An exponent is a phonological manifestation of a morphosyntactic property.
An exponent is a phonological manifestation of a morphosyntactic property.
Fortition
Fortition is a consonantal change from a 'weak' sound to a 'strong' one, the opposite of the more common lenition.
Fortition is a consonantal change from a 'weak' sound to a 'strong' one, the opposite of the more common lenition.
Fossilization (linguistics)
In linguistic morphology, fossilization refers to two close notions.
In linguistic morphology, fossilization refers to two close notions.
Fossilized affixes in Austronesian languages
Fossilized affixes abound in Austronesian languages.
Fossilized affixes abound in Austronesian languages.
Germanic strong verb
In the Germanic languages, a strong verb is one which marks its past tense by means of changes to the stem vowel (ablaut).
In the Germanic languages, a strong verb is one which marks its past tense by means of changes to the stem vowel (ablaut).
Germanic umlaut
In linguistics, umlaut is a process whereby a vowel is pronounced more like a following vowel or semivowel.
In linguistics, umlaut is a process whereby a vowel is pronounced more like a following vowel or semivowel.
Germanic verb
The Germanic verb system lends itself to both descriptive (synchronic) and historical (diachronic) comparative analysis.
The Germanic verb system lends itself to both descriptive (synchronic) and historical (diachronic) comparative analysis.
Germanic weak verb
In Germanic languages, including English, weak verbs are by far the largest group of verbs, which are therefore often regarded as the norm, though historically they are not the oldest or most or...
In Germanic languages, including English, weak verbs are by far the largest group of verbs, which are therefore often regarded as the norm, though historically they are not the oldest or most or...
Glossematics
Glossematics is a structuralist linguistic theory of the twentieth century proposed by Danish linguist Louis Hjelmslev.
Glossematics is a structuralist linguistic theory of the twentieth century proposed by Danish linguist Louis Hjelmslev.
Grammatical gender
Grammatical gender is defined linguistically as a system of classes of nouns which trigger specific types of inflections in associated words, such as adjectives, verbs and others.
Grammatical gender is defined linguistically as a system of classes of nouns which trigger specific types of inflections in associated words, such as adjectives, verbs and others.
Grammatischer Wechsel
In historical linguistics, the German term grammatischer Wechsel refers to the effects of Verner's law when viewed synchronically within the paradigm of a Germanic verb.
In historical linguistics, the German term grammatischer Wechsel refers to the effects of Verner's law when viewed synchronically within the paradigm of a Germanic verb.
Hybrid word
A hybrid word is a word which etymologically has one part derived from one language and another part derived from a different language.
A hybrid word is a word which etymologically has one part derived from one language and another part derived from a different language.
Hypocorism
A hypocorism (from Greek ὑποκορίζεσθαι hypokorizesthai, "to use child-talk") is a shorter form of a word or given name, for example, when used in more intimate situations as a nickname or te...
A hypocorism (from Greek ὑποκορίζεσθαι hypokorizesthai, "to use child-talk") is a shorter form of a word or given name, for example, when used in more intimate situations as a nickname or te...
h₂e-conjugation theory
The -conjugation theory adds a third conjugation to the two generally accepted conjugations of the Proto-Indo-European language (PIE), the thematic and athematic conjugations.
The -conjugation theory adds a third conjugation to the two generally accepted conjugations of the Proto-Indo-European language (PIE), the thematic and athematic conjugations.
Indo-European ablaut
In linguistics, ablaut is a system of apophony (regular vowel variations) in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) and its far-reaching consequences in all of the modern Indo-European languages.
In linguistics, ablaut is a system of apophony (regular vowel variations) in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) and its far-reaching consequences in all of the modern Indo-European languages.
Inflected preposition
In some languages, an inflected preposition, or conjugated preposition, is a word formed from the contraction of a preposition with a personal pronoun.
In some languages, an inflected preposition, or conjugated preposition, is a word formed from the contraction of a preposition with a personal pronoun.
Inflection
In grammar, inflection or inflexion is the modification of a word to express different grammatical categories such as tense, grammatical mood, grammatical voice, aspect, person, number, ge...
In grammar, inflection or inflexion is the modification of a word to express different grammatical categories such as tense, grammatical mood, grammatical voice, aspect, person, number, ge...
Inflectional morphology
Inflectional morphology is a part of the study of linguistics.
Inflectional morphology is a part of the study of linguistics.
Initialized sign
In sign language, an initialized sign is a word that is signed with a handshape that corresponds to the fingerspelling of the corresponding word in the locally dominant oral language, usually th...
In sign language, an initialized sign is a word that is signed with a handshape that corresponds to the fingerspelling of the corresponding word in the locally dominant oral language, usually th...
Lenition
In linguistics, lenition is a kind of consonant mutation that appears in many languages.
In linguistics, lenition is a kind of consonant mutation that appears in many languages.
Marker (linguistics)
In linguistics, a marker is a free or bound morpheme that indicates the grammatical function of the marked word, phrase, or sentence.
In linguistics, a marker is a free or bound morpheme that indicates the grammatical function of the marked word, phrase, or sentence.
Meaning-Text Theory
Meaning-Text Theory (MTT) is a theoretical linguistic framework, first put forward in Moscow by Aleksandr Žolkovskij and Igor Mel’čuk, for the construction of models of natural language.
Meaning-Text Theory (MTT) is a theoretical linguistic framework, first put forward in Moscow by Aleksandr Žolkovskij and Igor Mel’čuk, for the construction of models of natural language.
Metaphony
In historical linguistics, metaphony is a general term for a class of sound change in which one vowel in a word is influenced by another in a process of assimilation.
In historical linguistics, metaphony is a general term for a class of sound change in which one vowel in a word is influenced by another in a process of assimilation.
Morphemization
Morphemization is a term describing the process of creating a morpheme using a word, or part of a word.
Morphemization is a term describing the process of creating a morpheme using a word, or part of a word.
Morphogram
A morphogram is the representation of a morpheme by a grapheme based solely on its meaning.
A morphogram is the representation of a morpheme by a grapheme based solely on its meaning.
Morphological leveling
In linguistics, morphological leveling is the generalization of an inflection across a paradigm or between words.
In linguistics, morphological leveling is the generalization of an inflection across a paradigm or between words.
Morphological parsing
The goal of morphological parsing is to find out what morphemes a given word is built from.
The goal of morphological parsing is to find out what morphemes a given word is built from.
Morphological pattern
A morphological pattern is a set of associations and/or operations that build the various forms of a lexeme, possibly by inflection, agglutination, compounding or derivation.
A morphological pattern is a set of associations and/or operations that build the various forms of a lexeme, possibly by inflection, agglutination, compounding or derivation.
Morphology (linguistics)
In linguistics, morphology is the identification, analysis and description of the structure of a given language's morphemes and other linguistic units, such as words, affixes, parts of speech, i...
In linguistics, morphology is the identification, analysis and description of the structure of a given language's morphemes and other linguistic units, such as words, affixes, parts of speech, i...
Morphotactics
Morphotactics represent the ordering restrictions in place on the ordering of morphemes.
Morphotactics represent the ordering restrictions in place on the ordering of morphemes.
Mouthing
In sign language, mouthing is the production of visual syllables with the mouth while signing.
In sign language, mouthing is the production of visual syllables with the mouth while signing.
Nanosyntax
Nanosyntax is an approach to syntax in which syntactic parse trees are built up out of a large number of syntactic constituents.
Nanosyntax is an approach to syntax in which syntactic parse trees are built up out of a large number of syntactic constituents.
Nonce formation
The term nonce formation describes the process or the product of coining a new word which is only used once.
The term nonce formation describes the process or the product of coining a new word which is only used once.
Nonconcatenative morphology
Nonconcatenative morphology, also discontinuous morphology and introflection, is a form of word-formation in which the root is modified and which does not involve stringing morphemes...
Nonconcatenative morphology, also discontinuous morphology and introflection, is a form of word-formation in which the root is modified and which does not involve stringing morphemes...
Noun class
In linguistics, the term noun class refers to a system of categorizing nouns.
In linguistics, the term noun class refers to a system of categorizing nouns.
Ottawa morphology
Innovations in Ottawa morphology contribute to differentiating Ottawa from other dialects of Ojibwe.
Innovations in Ottawa morphology contribute to differentiating Ottawa from other dialects of Ojibwe.
Paronymic attraction
In etymology, generally in onomastics, a paronymic attraction is the alteration of a word on its paronym.
In etymology, generally in onomastics, a paronymic attraction is the alteration of a word on its paronym.
Periphrasis
In linguistics, periphrasis is a device by which a grammatical category or grammatical relationship is expressed by a free morpheme (typically one or more function words modifying a content word...
In linguistics, periphrasis is a device by which a grammatical category or grammatical relationship is expressed by a free morpheme (typically one or more function words modifying a content word...
Phono-semantic matching
Phono-semantic matching is a linguistic term referring to camouflaged borrowing in which a foreign word is matched with a phonetically and semantically similar pre-existent native word/root.
Phono-semantic matching is a linguistic term referring to camouflaged borrowing in which a foreign word is matched with a phonetically and semantically similar pre-existent native word/root.
Pluractionality
Pluractionality, or verbal number, is a grammatical device that indicates that the action or participants of a verb are plural.
Pluractionality, or verbal number, is a grammatical device that indicates that the action or participants of a verb are plural.
Postbase
In linguistics a postbase is a special kind of grammatical suffixing morpheme that is suffixed to a base.
In linguistics a postbase is a special kind of grammatical suffixing morpheme that is suffixed to a base.
Prefix
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the root of a word.
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the root of a word.
Productivity (linguistics)
In linguistics, productivity is the degree to which native speakers use a particular grammatical process, especially in word formation.
In linguistics, productivity is the degree to which native speakers use a particular grammatical process, especially in word formation.
Proto-Indo-European verbs
The verbal system of the Proto-Indo-European language was a complex system, with verbs categorized according to their aspect — stative, imperfective, or perfective.
The verbal system of the Proto-Indo-European language was a complex system, with verbs categorized according to their aspect — stative, imperfective, or perfective.
RAS syndrome
RAS syndrome, also known as PNS syndrome or RAP phrases, refers to the use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym or initialism in conjunction with the abbreviated form,...
RAS syndrome, also known as PNS syndrome or RAP phrases, refers to the use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym or initialism in conjunction with the abbreviated form,...
Realizational morphology
Word-and-paradigm or Realizational morphology concentrates on the word form rather than segments of the word.
Word-and-paradigm or Realizational morphology concentrates on the word form rather than segments of the word.
Rebracketing
Rebracketing (also known as juncture loss, junctural metanalysis, false splitting, misdivision, or refactorization) is a common process in historical linguistics wh...
Rebracketing (also known as juncture loss, junctural metanalysis, false splitting, misdivision, or refactorization) is a common process in historical linguistics wh...
Reduplication
Reduplication in linguistics is a morphological process in which the root or stem of a word is repeated exactly or with a slight change.
Reduplication in linguistics is a morphological process in which the root or stem of a word is repeated exactly or with a slight change.
Righthand head rule
The righthand head rule may also be applied to inflectional morphology (i.e.
The righthand head rule may also be applied to inflectional morphology (i.e.
Semitic root
The roots of verbs and most nouns in the Semitic languages are characterized as a sequence of consonants or "radicals".
The roots of verbs and most nouns in the Semitic languages are characterized as a sequence of consonants or "radicals".
Stemming
In linguistic morphology and information retrieval, stemming is the process for reducing inflected (or sometimes derived) words to their stem, base or root form—generally a written word form.
In linguistic morphology and information retrieval, stemming is the process for reducing inflected (or sometimes derived) words to their stem, base or root form—generally a written word form.
Suffix
In linguistics, a suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word.
In linguistics, a suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word.
Syncretism (linguistics)
In linguistics, syncretism is the identity of form of distinct morphological forms of a word.
In linguistics, syncretism is the identity of form of distinct morphological forms of a word.
Tatpurusa
In Sanskrit grammar a Tatpurusa (तत्पुरुष) compound is a dependent determinative compound, i.e. a compound XY meaning a type of Y which is related to X in a way corresponding to one of the grammatical...
In Sanskrit grammar a Tatpurusa (तत्पुरुष) compound is a dependent determinative compound, i.e. a compound XY meaning a type of Y which is related to X in a way corresponding to one of the grammatical...
Terpsimbrotos
Terpsimbrotos is a type of linguistic compound (inflectional verbal compounds, German verbales Rektionskompositum), on a par with the bahuvrihi and tatpurusha types.
Terpsimbrotos is a type of linguistic compound (inflectional verbal compounds, German verbales Rektionskompositum), on a par with the bahuvrihi and tatpurusha types.
Transgressive (linguistics)
Transgressive is a term of linguistic morphology denoting a special form of verb.
Transgressive is a term of linguistic morphology denoting a special form of verb.
Uninflected word
In the context of linguistic morphology, an uninflected word is a word that has no morphological markers such as affixes, ablaut, consonant gradation, etc., indicating declension or conjugation.
In the context of linguistic morphology, an uninflected word is a word that has no morphological markers such as affixes, ablaut, consonant gradation, etc., indicating declension or conjugation.
Unpaired word
An unpaired word is one that, according to the usual rules of the language, would appear to have a related word but does not.
An unpaired word is one that, according to the usual rules of the language, would appear to have a related word but does not.
Weak inflection
In grammar, the term weak (originally coined in German: schwach) is used in opposition to the term strong (stark) to designate a conjugation or declension when a language has two paralle...
In grammar, the term weak (originally coined in German: schwach) is used in opposition to the term strong (stark) to designate a conjugation or declension when a language has two paralle...
Word formation
In linguistics, word formation is the creation of a new word.
In linguistics, word formation is the creation of a new word.
Zero (linguistics)
A zero, in linguistics, is a constituent needed in an analysis but not realized in speech.
A zero, in linguistics, is a constituent needed in an analysis but not realized in speech.
ʾIʿrab
ʾIʿrab (إﻋﺮﺍﺏ) is an Arabic term for the system of nominal and adjectival suffixes of Classical Arabic.
ʾIʿrab (إﻋﺮﺍﺏ) is an Arabic term for the system of nominal and adjectival suffixes of Classical Arabic.