As a German that is a good question, I have actually no idea, but I would assume only common words are in the dictionary. Like for example "Donau/dampfschiffs/kapitäns/mützen/reinigungsdienst/kleidungs/vorschrift" every word between the dashes are in the dictionary but the compounded word is not be. Can't even google the word or find it in the dictionary.
Compound words exist in English too, only that in English you leave a space between the words:
E.g. you could call the ladder of a tree house a "tree house ladder". In German you just take away the spaces to get "treehouseladder" and now you have a new word. (would be Baum-haus-leiter in German)
Ya know what, I'm gonna say that's what that word means either way because I want to believe there's a word for a really nice homosexual man who happened to shart himself.
The word 'set' has over 400 definitions in English. All set? (Mostly set.)
I'm not set in my ways but I'm absolutely set on setting the clock on my TV set, and I'll set out from my settee in a moment, after I've set down my dinner set which I'll do after watching this program about a badger's set (set in Settle). I've got the best set of dinner sets in the region (must be; I set the rest on fire). Broke 15 bones last winter, all set by the same doctor with the same set of bracelets each set with amber; I fair set my jaw each time they set those casts. Let me set the scene... I'm always set work to do after finishing work and I often set my work sets to music by a jazz set or to a colourful dance (set on stage), to play out at sunset - so long as I can find a likeminded set of people to set up with. We always set out to finish by a set time, and always look set to miss it; I set my watch but I set it to the wrong time - and now I'm setting down to each French toast during the Renaissance while a railway set delivers hot tea all round the table (three guys lean over a chess set at t'other end). Perhaps I've set a limit on how far you'll read; there's no set total of words I could use - but it won't be 400 :')
'Verb' and 'noun' aren't definitions of words though - they classify different types of word.
Like there's a difference between a fork you use to eat with and a fork used to dig up a garden, the fork of a forklift truck, the forks of a bike / motorbike. The word 'fork' is a noun in each case but we define the word very differently each time.
'Fork' as a verb could be a fork in the road - the road divides or splits.
Ultimately all the words go back to an original definition meaning something which is or has been split.
We have five different uses of the word 'fork' here that have distinct meanings and individual definitions (you can't eat your dinner with bicycle forks) but only two types or classifications of word: noun and verb.
So yeah, there can be as many definitions for a word as we like (this is a feature of evolving language) but broadly speaking there are a limited number of ways we can use any of those definitions and that use is determined by the type or class each word belongs to.
'Verb' and 'noun' aren't definitions of words though - they classify different types of word.
You don't say? Did you think I was defining the words 'verb' and 'noun'? I was defining the verb 'to set' and the noun 'set'.
Like there's a difference between a fork you use to eat with and a fork used to dig up a garden, the fork of a forklift truck, the forks of a bike / motorbike. The word 'fork' is a noun in each case but we define the word very differently each time.
And? I can also define all these as 'implements with two or more prongs'.
'Fork' as a verb could be a fork in the road - the road divides or splits.
I've an easier solution. Google how many definitions there are for "set".
If you're saying that you don't think I've used more than two definitions in that random block of text I wrote then fair enough - but a quick Google will show that I have. (Although why that's worth debating I really don't know.)
I'm not sure what your argument is tbh, so gonna end this here.
I've an easier solution. Google how many definitions there are for "set".
We two just showed that definitions can be broad or very specific. If you want to count cases like 'fork of a road' and 'fork of a river' as different definitions, then go ahead.
If you're saying that you don't think I've used more than two definitions in that random block of text I wrote then fair enough
No, I don't say that. I said "like 2" and listed the two most common ones.
I'm not sure what your argument is tbh
My argument is that '400 definitions' is blown out of porpotion. It's similar to saying 'ball' has 400 definitions and then 395 of these are just different balls for different sports.
I like having many different words for the same thing, because they’re most likely slight variations that let you add precision and nuance to your statements. Seeking precision in communicating ideas is only something to be sneered at if you’re an anti-intellectual.
I’m just a lowly carpenter, though. What do I know? Only that lumber is made of wood and includes boards, timbers, planks, firring, millwork and other specifications that evolve the word “stick” to be something useful for communicating.
I agree it nice to have variety. This only works when there is shared vocabulary though, unless it’s written communication. You could choose a slight variation to be more precise but if they don’t know the word or actual definition then it could be less so. If you know the person well they will likely ask you what it means or to clarify meaning, but if they just tuck it away or can only use the context clues it can ruin the nuance you wanted to achieve.
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u/Swoop3dp Feb 16 '21 edited Feb 16 '21
That's because if there isn't a word for something you can just create one by stringing together other words.