bedroll
UK[ˈbedrəʊl]US[ˈbedroʊl]
n
a portable roll of bedding, such as a blanket or sleeping bag, used for sleeping on, especially outdoors.
Morpheme Breakdown
bed
roll
bed
roll
Etymology
the word 'bedroll' is a transparent english compound, formed by combining two old english and germanic-derived elements. 'bed' originates from proto-germanic badją, referring to a sleeping place, while 'roll' entered english via old french 'rolle', from latin 'rotulus', meaning a small wheel or something rolled. the compound logically describes a portable sleeping arrangement where bedding is rolled up for transport, a concept that became practical with the rise of camping and mobile lifestyles. its formation follows the common english pattern of combining two concrete nouns to create a new, specific term for a functional object.
Analysis
Structure: bed + roll
- bed (old english): a piece of furniture for sleeping on. functional role: base noun, indicating the item's purpose.
- roll (old french, from latin): something made by rolling or folded into a cylindrical shape. functional role: modifying noun, indicating the form or state of the object.
Examples
he packed his bedroll and set off on the hiking trail.
the soldiers were each issued a thin bedroll for the field exercises.
she unrolled her bedroll on the cabin floor and settled in for the night.