Lexic.us

Definition of Portmanteau

1. Noun. A new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings. "`brunch' is a well-known portmanteau"

Definition of Portmanteau

1. n. A bag or case, usually of leather, for carrying wearing apparel, etc., on journeys.

Definition of Portmanteau

1. Noun. A large travelling case usually made of leather, and opening into two equal sections. ¹

2. Noun. (Australia dated) A school bag; often shortened to ''port'' or ''school port'' ¹

3. Noun. (linguistics) A portmanteau word. ¹

4. Adjective. (context: used only before a noun of a word, story, etc.) Made by combining two words, stories, etc., in the manner of a linguistic portmanteau. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Portmanteau

1. [n -TEAUX or -TEAUS]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Portmanteau

Literary usage of Portmanteau

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Lyon in Mourning: Or, A Collection of Speeches, Letters, Journals, Etc by Robert Forbes (1895)
"Mr. Gib assured Mr. Hay he would take the same care of the groom and portmanteau that he would do of himself. In coming down the country from Ruthven, ..."

2. With Rhodes in Mashonaland by David Christiaan de Waal (1896)
"Again on the march—An accident to my portmanteau—I am sad in consequence—A hard ... I had my portmanteau tied to one of the sides of the waggon, and there, ..."

3. Handbook for Travellers in Southern Germany: Being a Guide to Würtemberg by John Murray (Firm) (1867)
"ALLEN'S PATENT Quadruple portmanteau. ALLEN'S NEW DRESSING 'BAO. RAILWAY portmanteau. ALLEN'S DRESSING BAG. ALLEN'S SOLID MAHOGANY DRESSING-CASE. ..."

4. The Trespasser by David Herbert Lawrence (1912)
"His portmanteau stood at the foot of the bed, its straps flung loose. A portmanteau strap would do. Then it should be a portmanteau strap 1 'Very well! ..."

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