wordshaping

English

Alternative forms

• word-shaping, word shaping

Etymology

From word +‎ shaping. Compare Dutch woordschepping, German Wortschöpfung (“word creation”), Swedish ordskapande.

Noun

wordshaping (uncountable)

1. The art or practice of shaping, forming, or creating words.
   • 1861, Thomas Oswald Cockayne, Spoon and sparrow:

     Another fault exists in our Hebrew books of instruction: though they greedily compare roots or what are supposed to be roots, they exclude the general principles of wordshaping, which as long as man has a mouth will be found prevailing [...]

   • 2003, Rudolf Steiner, Story of My Life:

     Marie von Sievers had her place in the art of word-shaping; to dramatic representation she had the most beautiful relationship.

2. The art of using words to form representations or images.
   • 2000, Philip G. Barker, Masoud Yazdani, Iconic communication:

     Such word-shaping is useful to all wayfinders but particularly so to wayfinders with one or another form of sight-impairment. Word-shaping is particularly important in the context of wayfinding because of most sign-panels [...]

Related terms

• wordbuilding