idiomissa

Idiomissa is a term that appears in a limited set of linguistic writings as a neologism to refer to idiomatic expressions within a language, or to a particular class of such expressions. It is not part of standard linguistic terminology and has no single, universally accepted definition.

Etymology and sense: The word fuses “idiom” with a suffix common in Romance-language nominal formations, “-issa,” used here as a pseudo-technical label rather than an inherited term. The absence of a fixed definition means its meaning shifts across authors and contexts.

Usage: In some discussions, idiomissa denotes a curated corpus of idioms used to analyze figurative language, semantic non-compositionality, and cultural specificity. In other treatments, it designates a theoretical category of non‑compositional phrases whose meanings are not readily inferred from their parts, akin to opaque idioms. Examples often cited include phrases like “kick the bucket” or “spill the beans” if treated as items within an idiomissa.

Relation to other concepts: The concept overlaps with the study of idioms, idiomaticity, and proverb-like expressions, and with topics such as semantic freezing and figurative language. Because of its informal status, idiomissa is not consistently differentiated from general discussions of idioms or from the broader term phrasal idioms.

Status: The term remains obscure and variable in use. It is generally recommended to consult the source context to understand what an author intends by idiomissa.