enclitic Meaning, Definition & Usage

En*clit"ic, En*clit"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Enclitic
  • Enclitical
)
Etymology
L. encliticus, Gr. , fr. to incline; in + to bend. See In, and Lean, v. i.
Definitions
  1. (Gram.) Affixed; subjoined; -- said of a word or particle which leans back upon the preceding word so as to become a part of it, and to lose its own independent accent, generally varying also the accent of the preceding word.
En*clit"ic noun
Definitions
  1. (Gram.) A word which is joined to another so closely as to lose its proper accent, as the pronoun thee in prithee (pray thee).

Webster 1913