Lexeme
/ˈlɛk.sɛm/noun
The smallest unit of meaning in a language, often represented by a word.
Did you know?The concept of a lexeme is intimately tied to the idea of 'word as power,' reflecting the ancient belief that words can shape reality.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λέξις (léxis)
“speech, word, or phrase.”
Latin
Latin
lexema
“a unit of meaning, derived from 'lex' meaning law.”
19th Century
English
lexeme
“a term coined in linguistics to denote a basic unit of meaning.”
Modern English
English
lexeme
“the theoretical construct in linguistics representing a single word or phrase.”