gainword en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
From gain + word.
Meanings
-
(in relation to the Maori language, rare) A word that a language has borrowed from other languages. In the process, the spelling and pronunciation, and even meaning, may be altered.
Words comprising a gainword + Maori suffix are entered as run-ons in alphabetical order where there is a root gainword as headword.
1995, TP Duval, A preliminary dictionary of Maori gainwords compiled on historical principles:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| gainwords | Number=Plur | lexicographic |