greatcoat
UK[ˈɡreɪtkəʊt]US[ˈɡreɪtkoʊt]
n
a long, heavy overcoat, especially one worn by soldiers or as part of a uniform.
Morpheme Breakdown
great
coat
great
large
coat
garment
Etymology
the word 'greatcoat' is a transparent english compound formed from the adjective 'great' and the noun 'coat'. the old english ancestor of 'great', 'grēat', originally carried meanings related to physical size and thickness, which evolved to signify large scale or importance. 'coat' entered english via old french from a frankish source, ultimately tracing back to the latin 'cottus' for a type of military tunic. the compound, emerging in the early 18th century, logically denotes a "large coat," specifically a long, heavy overcoat designed for protection in severe weather, a usage famously associated with military uniforms.
Analysis
Structure: great (large) + coat (garment)
great: from old english 'grēat', meaning "coarse, thick, massive." functional role: adjective root, modifying the noun to indicate size or importance.
coat: from old french 'cote', meaning "a kind of tunic." functional role: noun root, specifying the type of garment.
Examples
the soldier buttoned up his greatcoat against the bitter winter wind.
in the old portrait, the gentleman is depicted wearing a stylish greatcoat.
the museum displayed a greatcoat from the napoleonic wars.