exocentric
/ˌɛksoʊˈsɛntrɪk/
adjective
- Describing a compound word or phrase whose meaning is not a direct combination of its parts, but refers to something outside the group (e.g., 'redhead' does not mean a red head, but a person with red hair).
- In grammar, an exocentric construction like 'pickpocket' refers to a person, not the action of picking pockets.
- Teachers explain that 'loudmouth' is exocentric since it describes a person, not a mouth that is loud.
- The word 'scarecrow' is exocentric because it does not mean a crow that is scared.
Antonyms