migliorativi

Migliorativi is a term used in linguistics to classify a type of derivational morphology whose function is to express improvement, enhancement, or betterment of the referent's quality, status, or action. They are affixes or derivational operators that, when attached to a base word, convey that the resulting form denotes something that is better or more desirable than the base.

In usage, migliorativi are often discussed alongside other evaluative affixes, such as diminutives (diminuativi), augmentatives (aumentativi), and pejoratives; they belong to the broader field of evaluative morphology. The exact realization and productivity of migliorativi vary by language. Some languages maintain explicit standardized sets of such affixes; others show more limited or context-dependent use, often in dialects or historical stages.

Semantically, migliorativi can modify nouns to signal higher quality or improved condition (for example, a thing that is better by virtue of added features), or modify verbs to indicate a more favorable or improved action. In adjectives or participles, they may intensify positive evaluation of the property.

In linguistic analysis, migliorativi are studied within morphology and lexical semantics as part of evaluative derivation. They are typically contrasted with diminutives or augmentatives by their positive enhancement value rather than size or scope.

See also: evaluative morphology, diminutive, augmentative, pejorative, derivational morphology, Romance language morphology.