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nost

Nost is not a standalone English word with a single fixed definition. In linguistic and etymological contexts, nost- (and the related form nostos) is a Greek-derived combining form used to express ideas related to homecoming or longing. The most well-known example is nostalgia, formed from nostos meaning "return home" plus algos meaning "pain," referring to a sentimental longing for the past or for home. The nost- form also appears in a small number of other scholarly or literary terms, but these are relatively rare and specialized. In general, nost- functions as a morpheme rather than an independent lexeme in modern English.

Etymology: Nost- derives from the Greek nostos, meaning "a return home." Through Latin and English transmission,

Usage: Because nost- is a bound morpheme, it is not used alone in ordinary speech. Recognition depends

See also: Nostalgia; Nostos; Greek etymology of nostalgia.

it
has
contributed
to
a
family
of
words
that
convey
related
sentiments,
memory,
and
displacement.
on
familiarity
with
the
root
in
established
terms
such
as
nostalgia.