smartphone
UK[ˈsmɑːt.fəʊn]US[ˈsmɑːrt.foʊn]
n
a mobile phone that can perform many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications.
Morpheme Breakdown
smart
phone
smart
phone
Etymology
the word 'smartphone' is a modern compound, a portmanteau of 'smart' and 'phone'. 'smart' originates from the old english verb smeortan, which meant 'to be painful', a sense that evolved through middle english to imply sharp mental pain or quickness, eventually settling on the meaning 'intelligent or capable'. 'phone' is a clipped form of 'telephone', derived from the greek elements tēle- (far) and phōnē (sound, voice). the compound, emerging in the late 1990s, logically combines the concept of an intelligent, programmable device ('smart') with the core function of a voice communication instrument ('phone'), perfectly encapsulating the convergence of computing power and telephony in a single handheld unit.
Analysis
Structure: smart + phone
smart (from old english smeortan, meaning 'to cause pain'; evolved to mean 'quick, active, clever'. in this compound, it denotes intelligence or advanced capability). phone (a shortening of 'telephone', from greek phōnē, meaning 'sound, voice'. in this compound, it denotes a device for communication by sound).
Examples
she uses her smartphone to navigate, check emails, and manage her schedule.
the latest smartphone models feature advanced cameras and facial recognition.
many people find it difficult to disconnect from their smartphones.