alpha privativum
The term "alpha privativum" is derived from Greek and is used to describe a prefix that negates or reverses the meaning of a word.
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Definition
C2Linguistics
(technical)A prefix (a- or an-) used in Greek to indicate negation or absence.
Example
- The word 'amoral' uses the alpha privativum 'a-' to signify the absence of morality.
- In Greek, 'atheos' combines the alpha privativum 'a-' with 'theos,' meaning god, to form a word meaning 'without god.'
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "alpha privativum":