endocentric

[ en-doh-sen-trik ]

adjective

, Grammar.

1. (of a construction or compound) having the same syntactic function in the sentence as one of its immediate constituents. Cold water is an endocentric construction, since it functions as would the noun water. Greenhouse is an endocentric compound, since it is a noun as is its head house.

endocentric

/ ˌɛndəʊˈsɛntrɪk /

adjective

1. grammar (of a construction) fulfilling the grammatical role of one of its constituents; as in three blind mice, where the whole noun phrase fulfils the same role as its head noun mice Compare exocentric

Word History and Origins

Origin of endocentric¹

First recorded in 1930–35; endo- + -centric