Definition of protologism :.
(prō'tŏl'ə-gĭz-əm)
1. (n.) A newly created word which has not yet gained any wide acceptance. It is a prototype or a hypothetical projection of a new lexical unit before it may become current in writing or speech. This word is self-defining as an example of itself.
Origins: Greek protos first, and Greek logos word. From prototype, neologism. In contrast to protologisms, neologisms are words that have already been in public usage by authors other than their inventors. In fact, as soon as this very word finds its way into newspapers and websites, journals and books, it will become a neologism.
Submitted by: Mikhail Epstein, Topics: Language & Literature
