enjamber

Enjamber is a term used in the field of linguistics to describe a specific type of word formation process. It refers to the creation of a new word by combining two or more existing words, often in a way that preserves the meaning of the original words. This process is distinct from compounding, where the meaning of the new word is a combination of the meanings of the original words, and from blending, where the new word is formed by combining parts of two words.

Enjambering can occur in various languages and is often used to create neologisms or to adapt words to new contexts. For example, in English, the word "smog" is an enjambment of "smoke" and "fog," combining the two words to describe a new phenomenon. Similarly, the term "brunch" is an enjambment of "breakfast" and "lunch," reflecting a new meal time.

The process of enjambering can be influenced by several factors, including phonetic similarity, semantic relatedness, and cultural context. It is a productive process in language, allowing speakers to create new words to describe emerging concepts or to adapt existing words to new uses.

Enjambering is not limited to spoken language; it also occurs in writing, where it can be used to create new terms or to emphasize the relationship between two concepts. For example, the term "infobesity" is an enjambment of "information" and "obesity," highlighting the problem of excessive information overload.

In summary, enjamber is a word formation process that involves combining two or more existing words to create a new word that preserves the meaning of the original words. It is a productive and flexible process that allows languages to adapt to new contexts and to describe emerging concepts.