Definition | Meaning

1. A consonant cluster apparently associated with a particular semantic field, but with no distinguishable independent meaning.

Example | Illustration

• ‘gl-’
• ‘sn-’
• ‘sl-’

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. A meaningful sound, the smallest unit of speech which distinguishes one word from another in a given language.

Example | Illustration

• in the pair of words ‘bat’ and ‘mat’, the distinguishing sounds /b/ and /m/ are both phonemes

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. A figure of speech in which a company, product, or service is given human form.

Example | Illustration

• Mr. Clean cleaning products
• Nintendo Game Boy game system

Etymology | Origin

Compare | See

• eponym

Definition | Meaning

1. A semantic shift which results in a less favorable connotation.

Example | Illustration

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. Any brand name derived from an actual, fictional, or mythical paternal figure.

Example | Illustration

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. A regional dialect.

Example | Illustration

• the distinctive dialect of New Orleans

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. The attribution of a human emotion to a product or service.

Example | Illustration

• Cheerios cereal

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. Any brand name derived from an understandable word in a foreign language.

Example | Illustration

• Trésor perfume, where ‘trésor’ is the French source of the English word ‘treasure’

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. The use in naming of a play on words, including but not limited to punning.

Example | Illustration

• L’eggs pantyhose

Etymology | Origin

Definition | Meaning

1. Any brand which lends a portion of its identity and equity to one or more subsidiary brands, most often by sharing its name.

Example | Illustration

Etymology | Origin