Meaning

(linguistics) Restricted to fit into a specific, limited pattern of possible structures or shapes, rather than resulting from the application of a simple generative rule..

Example Sentences

In templatic morphology regularity consists in the fact that derived words associated with a particular function show a consistent syllabic (sometimes also vocalic) pattern regardless of the phonological form of the source from which they are derived.

Stipulation of the order of segments in a morpheme is considered "normal" and, therefore, not templatic. Similarly, admitting the existence of a grammatical category like "affix" or "clitic" entails that elements belonging to such categories must have some specification for their linear realization with respect to a host - "before" or "after" are, intuitively, quite natural types of linear stipulation for such elements, and therefore, also not considered templatic.

Obviously, adding phonological material is a kind of phonological operation/transformation, whereas templatic morphology typically involves the application of different transformations in different contexts to ensure that the form conforms to a templatic shape.

Related Words

When Should You Use Templatic?

Use templatic when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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