A bahuvrīhi (), or bahuvrīhi compound, is a type of compound word that denotes a referent by specifying a certain characteristic or quality the referent possesses. A bahuvrihi is exocentric, so that the compound is not a hyponym of its head. For instance, a sabretooth (smil-odon) is neither a sabre nor a tooth, but a feline with sabre-like teeth.
In Sanskrit bahuvrihis, the last part is a noun—more strictly, a nominal stem—while the whole compound is an adjective.
Etymology
Bahuvrihi is from , originally referring to fertile land but later denoting the quality of being wealthy or rich.
Examples
English
- "Houndstooth", a woven fabric with a patterns resembling dog's teeth: "She's wearing houndstooth."
- "Old money", members from established upper-class who have usually inherited their wealth: "He's definitely old money."
- "Bluestocking", an educated, intellectual, or artistically accomplished woman: "Auntie Maud will never marry; she's a bluestocking."
- White-collar and blue-collar labor, referring to common colors of uniforms of clerks and workmen respectively early 20th century.
- "Redhead" refers to a ginger haired person.
Other languages
- and (meaning shining-mane and rime-mane; two horses in Norse mythology) are two examples of Old Norse bahuvrihis.
- '
See also
- Dvandva
- Sanskrit compound#Dvigu-bahuvrīhi and Sanskrit compound#Dvigu-tatpuruṣa (numerative)
- Kenning
- Makurakotoba
- Sanskrit compound
- Synecdoche