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to apocopate

to apocopate

9.9
To shorten a word by dropping its last sound or syllable
  • verb
  • /əˈpɑːkəˌpeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : apocopar
  • The word 'photo' is an example of a term that has been apocopated from 'photograph'.

Examples

  • Linguists study how speakers apocopate words in casual conversation.

  • You can apocopate the word 'photograph' to 'photo'.

  • Some English dialects often apocopate words, such as saying 'goin'' instead of 'going'.

  • The linguist apocopated several terms for clarity.

  • The word 'photo' is an example of how we can apocopate 'photograph' by dropping the final syllables.

  • In casual speech, people often apocopate longer words, like saying 'lab' instead of 'laboratory.'

  • Many children apocopate words they find difficult, such as calling 'television' simply 'TV.'

Synonyms

to abbreviate
vsto apocopate
7 3.8

To shorten a word or phrase by using its first letters

shortens only by removing the final sound or syllable
to elide
vsto apocopate
2 8.2

To leave out part of a word when you say or write it

omits only the final sound or syllable in a word

Antonyms

34 2.4

Make something longer in size, distance, or time

How Short

to apocopate
  • Specialized
9.9
to truncate
8 7.0
to elide
2 8.2
to shorten
45 2.3
to trim
95 2.6

Surface Forms

apocopate infinitive
apocopated past
apocopated past participle
apocopating present participle
apocopates third person singular

Morphology

apocopate = apocope (opaque) = apocope + ate

A predictable verb formation from 'apocope' with '-ate', but because 'apocope' is a specialized term, the process does not help average learners deduce the meaning.

Etymology

Apocopate comes from Greek apo- 'away' and kopē 'cutting', so to apocopate a word is to 'cut off' its end by removing the final sound or syllable.