portmanteau

[ pawrt-man-toh, pawrt-man-toh ]

noun

plural portmanteaus, portmanteaux

1. Chiefly British. a case or bag to carry clothing in while traveling, especially a leather trunk or suitcase that opens into two halves.
2. Linguistics.
   1. Also called port·man·teau word. a word that combines the form and meaning of two or more other words; a blend.
   2. Also called port·man·teau morph. a phonological unit of more than one morpheme, as French au (to the) from à to + le masculine article, which realizes a preposition and the definite article; a single morph that is analyzed as representing two underlying morphemes.
3. something that combines or blends several items, features, or qualities:

   I've gathered a portmanteau of ideas from my colleagues.

adjective

1. combining or blending several items, features, or qualities:

   a portmanteau film with two good stories.

portmanteau

/ pɔːtˈmæntəʊ /

noun

1. (formerly) a large travelling case made of stiff leather, esp one hinged at the back so as to open out into two compartments
2. modifier embodying several uses or qualities

   the heroine is a portmanteau figure of all the virtues

Word History and Origins

Origin of portmanteau¹

From French portemanteau literally, “(it) carries (the) cloak”; port ⁵, mantle; portmanteau def 1 was first recorded in 1575–85, and portmanteau def 2a in 1871 in Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Word History and Origins

Origin of portmanteau¹

C16: from French: cloak carrier, from porter to carry + manteau cloak, mantle

Example Sentences

The Chinatown gallery name derives from that studio moniker, itself a portmanteau of “Mutant” and “Potato.”

From Los Angeles Times

The word "PANICAN" could be a portmanteau of "panic" and "Americans", although an alternative theory suggests that it combines "panic" and "Republicans".

From BBC

Brands have also hopped on the spicy and “swicy” — a portmanteau of “sweet” and “spicy” — trends.

From Salon

Dentistry is just one example of what in the real estate business is known as “medtail,” a portmanteau of “medical” and “retail.”

From Los Angeles Times

Fast-flation — a portmanteau of "fast food" and "inflation" — continues to wreak havoc as fast food chains introduce brand-new value menu offerings to win over financially-conscious customers.

From Salon

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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