Definitie & Betekenis van "circumfix"

What is a "circumfix"?

A circumfix is a type of affix that is added to both the beginning and the end of a base word or root to modify its meaning. Unlike prefixes or suffixes, which attach to only one end of a word, a circumfix surrounds the root. For example, in some languages, such as German, the circumfix "ge-...-t" is used to form the past participle of regular verbs, as in "spielen", meaning "to play", which becomes "gespielt", meaning "played". Circumfixes play a significant role in word formation and grammatical structure in languages that utilize this type of affixation.