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Glite Dictionary
lexicostatistic

lexicostatistic

9.9
A method that uses numbers to compare words in different languages
  • adjective
  • /ˌlɛksɪkoʊstəˈtɪstɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lexicostatístico
  • The lexicostatistic analysis revealed surprising similarities between the two languages.

Examples

  • Using lexicostatistic techniques, researchers compared basic vocabularies across several languages.

  • Researchers conducted a lexicostatistic study to understand language evolution.

  • Recent studies have employed lexicostatistic methods to trace the evolution of language families.

  • The team presented their lexicostatistic findings at the international linguistics conference.

  • Recent studies have employed lexicostatistic methods to trace the evolution of language families.

  • Using lexicostatistic techniques, researchers compared basic vocabularies across several languages.

  • The lexicostatistic analysis revealed surprising similarities between the two languages.

Synonyms

lexicostatistical
vslexicostatistic
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to counting common words to compare languages and estimate when they split

studies relationships between languages using vocabulary statistics
glottochronological
vslexicostatistic
  • Specialized
9.9

About the study of how languages change over time by comparing words

focuses on language relationships through vocabulary statistics rather than change rates

Surface Forms

lexicostatistic positive

Morphology

lexicostatistic = statistic (semi-transparent) = lexico + statistic

Formed by the combining form 'lexico-' (relating to words) added to 'statistic'; the combining form is technical, so the meaning is partly inferable but specialized.

Etymology

Lexicostatistic comes from the parts lexico- meaning 'word' (as in lexicon) and -statistic meaning 'numbers' or 'counting' (as in statistics). So a lexicostatistic method studies languages by comparing word lists and using numbers to see how they are related.