Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
suppletive
Adjective
səˈplētiv
Definition
Referring to a form of a word that is used to supplement or complete another form, especially in grammar.
Examples
- The English word ‘better’ is a suppletive form of ‘good.’
- In Latin, the verb ‘fero’ has the suppletive form ‘tuli’ for its past tense.
- Using suppletive forms can sometimes make a language more complex and interesting.
Meaning
The term ‘suppletive’ describes a situation where a word’s inflected forms are derived from entirely different roots or stems.
Synonyms
- Substitutive
- Supplementary
- Alternative
