paperclip
UK[ˈpeɪ.pə.klɪp]US[ˈpeɪ.pɚ.klɪp]
n
a small piece of bent wire or plastic used for holding sheets of paper together.
Morpheme Breakdown
paper
clip
paper
clip
to embrace, clasp
Etymology
the word 'paperclip' is a transparent compound formed from two english words of distinct origins. 'paper' traces back to greek 'papyros', the name for the papyrus plant from which a writing material was made, entering english via latin and french. 'clip' originates from the old english verb 'clyppan', meaning to clasp or embrace, evolving into a noun for a fastening device. the compound logically describes a clasp for paper, with its modern form emerging in the late 19th century alongside the invention of the office utensil itself. the term perfectly illustrates how english creates new words by combining existing elements to name a novel object based on its function and material.
Analysis
Structure: paper + clip
paper: from middle english 'paper', from anglo-french 'papir', from latin 'papyrus', from greek 'papyros'. functional role: base noun denoting the material.
clip: from old english 'clyppan' meaning 'to embrace, clasp'. functional role: base noun denoting a device for holding.
Examples
she fastened the documents together with a red paperclip.
a simple paperclip can be bent into a makeshift tool.
the patent for the modern paperclip design was granted in the 1890s.