high-five
UK[ˌhaɪ ˈfaɪv]US[ˌhaɪ ˈfaɪv]
n
a gesture of celebration or greeting in which two people slap each other's palms with their arms raised.
v
to give someone a high-five.
Morpheme Breakdown
high
five
high
five
Etymology
The term "high-five" is a modern American English compound noun originating in sports culture, likely in the 1970s. It is a transparent combination of the adjective "high," indicating the elevated position of the arm, and the noun "five," a metonymic reference to the hand with its five fingers. The gesture's name is thus a literal description of the action: slapping a "high" (upraised) "five" (hand). Its evolution from a simple descriptive label to a universally recognized symbol of celebration, affirmation, or greeting exemplifies how new cultural practices generate new, logically constructed vocabulary.
Analysis
Structure: high + five
- high (Old English): From Old English hēah, meaning "of great vertical extent." In this compound, it describes the raised position of the arm.
- five (Old English): From Old English fīf, the number. In this compound, it refers to the five fingers of the hand.
Examples
The teammates shared a triumphant high-five after scoring the winning goal.
She ran over to high-five her friend when she heard the good news.
A simple high-five can be a great way to boost morale.