neoprene
UK[ˈniːəʊpriːn]US[ˈniːəʊpriːn]
n
a synthetic rubber-like material that is resistant to oil, water, and heat, used especially for making protective clothing, seals, and hoses.
Morpheme Breakdown
neo
prene
neo
new
prene
from chloroprene
Etymology
the word 'neoprene' is a modern scientific coinage from the 1930s, created by the dupont company. it combines the greek prefix 'neo-', meaning 'new', with a truncation of 'chloroprene', the name of its parent monomer. the term directly signifies a 'new' type of polymer derived from chloroprene, distinguishing it from natural rubber. this naming follows a common pattern in industrial chemistry where a novel synthetic material is branded by highlighting its innovative nature ('neo-') while linking it to its chemical precursor.
Analysis
Structure: neo (new) + prene (from chloroprene)
- neo: from greek 'neos', meaning 'new'. serves as a combining form indicating something new or revived.
- prene: a shortened form extracted from 'chloroprene', the chemical compound from which neoprene is polymerized. it functions as the base name for the material.
Examples
the diver's wetsuit was made from thick, flexible neoprene.
a neoprene gasket provides an excellent seal against oil leaks.
she wore a neoprene sleeve to support her injured knee during the workout.