synth
Meaning
An electronic musical instrument that generates sound using synthesizer technology.
Informal term for a synthesizer.
Structure
Usage
The musician crafted the entire track using only an analog synth.
That iconic bassline was played on a vintage Moog synth.
For this song, I'll be playing the synth parts live.
Etymology
The word 'synth' is a modern English clipping of the full term 'synthesizer.' Its core component, the prefix 'syn-', originates from the Greek 'syn,' meaning "together." This prefix was combined in the formation of 'synthesis,' from Greek 'syntithenai' (to put together), and later 'synthesizer,' an instrument that puts together or generates complex sounds from simpler components. The clipped form 'synth' retains the essential 'syn-' prefix, directly evoking the instrument's fundamental purpose of sound synthesis, while the '-th' ending informally signals its connection to the full technical term.
Analysis
'syn' is a prefix of Greek origin meaning "together, with." 'th' is a modern English shortening or clipping of the latter part of the word 'synthesizer,' which itself comes from the Greek 'thesis' (a placing) or 'thetic' (pertaining to placing).