ragtime
UK[ˈræɡtaɪm]US[ˈræɡˌtaɪm]
n
a style of jazz music characterized by a syncopated melodic line and regularly accented accompaniment, popular in the early 20th century.
Morpheme Breakdown
rag
time
rag
sense
time
sense
Etymology
the term 'ragtime' is a compound word formed within american english in the 1890s. the 'rag' element likely derives from the colloquial verb 'to rag', meaning to tease or play in a rough manner, which was applied to music to describe its characteristic 'ragged' or syncopated rhythm that played against the regular beat. the 'time' element straightforwardly refers to the musical meter or tempo. thus, the compound literally means 'ragged time', perfectly encapsulating the music's defining feature of syncopation over a steady march-like bass. its formation reflects the inventive, vernacular spirit of the musical genre it names.
Analysis
Structure: rag (sense) + time (sense)
rag: origin: american english, functional role: a noun element referring to a ragged, syncopated rhythm.
time: origin: old english (tīma), functional role: a noun element referring to musical meter or rhythm.
Examples
scott joplin was a famous composer and pianist known for his complex and captivating ragtime music.
the lively, syncopated sounds of ragtime filled the dance hall.
she learned to play several classic ragtime pieces on the piano.