What does parasynthesis mean?
Parasynthesis is a specialized grammatical process in which adding a prefix or suffix to a word also causes its stress to move, often accompanied by a change in a vowel sound. One familiar example is the relationship between divine and divinity: the suffix -ity is added, the stress shifts from the first syllable to the second, and the long vowel of divine becomes the short vowel heard in divinity. A similar pattern appears in serene and serenity, where the addition of the suffix changes both the stress and the quality of the final vowel. The term is useful in English-language morphology because it describes a productive but often overlooked way of deriving new words from existing ones. It should not be confused with synthesis in general, which means the combining of elements into a whole. Parasynthesis is more precise, describing word formation in which affixation and stress adjustment occur together.
nounIn linguistics, a process by which a new word is formed by adding an affix to a base while also shifting its stress. Parasynthesis often involves a change in vowel quality as well, as in divine → divinity.
- A process of word formation in which the addition of a prefix or suffix is accompanied by a shift in the position of stress, often with a corresponding change in vowel quality.
"The pairing of the adjective divine with the noun divinity illustrates parasynthesis."
"The relationship between serene and serenity is a commonly cited example of parasynthesis."
"By parasynthesis, the stress on the second syllable of the base word shifts when the suffix is added."
The plural is used when referring to multiple examples or instances of the word-formation process.
"The scholar compared several parasyntheses in English."
Parasynthesis is where an added ending and a stress change join forces: add -ity to divine and the stress jumps, while the vowel also changes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parasynthesis come from?
The word was formed through New Latin from Greek para- and synthesis. The combining element para- has a range of meanings, including “beside” and “additional,” while synthesis comes from Greek synthēsis, “a setting together.” In its grammatical use, parasynthesis names a process rather than a particular prefix or suffix.
Related word forms
How parasynthesis is actually used
This is a specialist grammatical term, used chiefly in discussions of English morphology and historical linguistics. It is not normally used for the general process of forming a word from a root or base.
Easily confused with parasynthesis
Synthesis is the general combining of elements into a whole, whereas parasynthesis specifically describes word formation involving an affix and a stress shift.
Synthetic describes something produced by combining elements, while parasynthetic refers more narrowly to a particular kind of morphological word formation.