What is a lexical form?

Definition
	A lexical form is an abstract unit representing a set of wordforms differing only in inflection and not in core meaning.
	It is a component part of a lexical unit.

Examples (English)
	The lexeme, brooch n. 'a large ornamental pin with a clasp, worn by women' has a single lexical unit with a single lexical form representing the two wordforms, brooch and brooches. The primary sense of the lexeme ignite vt. 'to set fire to' is a single lexical unit with a single lexical form representing several wordforms such as, ignite, ignited, ignites and igniting.

Context for this page:

Concept module: lexical form
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): L
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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