editorship
UK[ˈedɪtəʃɪp]US[ˈedɪtərʃɪp]
n
The position or job of being the editor of a newspaper, magazine, etc.
n
The period of time during which someone holds the position of editor.
Morpheme Breakdown
editor
ship
editor
ship
Etymology
The word 'editorship' is a relatively modern English formation, combining the agent noun 'editor' with the abstract noun-forming suffix '-ship'. The core 'editor' originates from the Latin verb edere, meaning 'to bring forth, put out, or publish', which itself is a compound of ex- ('out') and dare ('to give'). The suffix '-ship' has Germanic roots, descending from the Old English -scipe, which denoted a state, condition, or office. Therefore, the literal construction 'editor-ship' logically evolved to mean 'the state or office of one who brings forth/publishes', perfectly capturing the modern sense of the position, duties, and tenure associated with being an editor.
Analysis
Structure: editor + ship
- editor: From Latin editor ('one who brings forth, producer, publisher'), from edere ('to bring forth, publish'). Functions as the agent noun base.
- ship: From Old English -scipe ('state, condition, office, dignity'), a suffix forming nouns. Functions as a suffix denoting state, condition, office, or dignity.
Examples
She was offered the editorship of a prestigious literary journal.
His editorship of the newspaper was marked by a significant increase in circulation.
During her editorship, the magazine underwent a major redesign.