prefix
Let an agent handle prefixes by language, meaning, attachment rules and use in names, including sorting rules for name particles.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle prefixes by language, meaning, attachment rules and use in names, including sorting rules for name particles.
An affix placed before a word stem to form a new word or inflection, such as un-, re- or pre- in English; the term also covers name prefixes such as Van den or honorific prefixes before names.
What it is for: Forming words and marking meaning; in names, marking family or rank.
It can be identify prefixes and meanings; form new words correctly; sort names with prefixes; translate prefixed words.
Distinguishing features
Attaches before a stem
Changes meaning or grammar
Language-specific
Name particles follow national sorting rules
What it looks like
Letters or syllables at the start of words.
How it is recognised
Common prefixes such as un-, re-, anti-
Name particles such as van, de, von
SI unit prefixes are a related sense
Related models
is a kind of - category
is contrasted with - position
is studied by - field
is related to - another use
In practice
Families and kinds
derivational prefixes
inflectional prefixes
borrowed prefixes
name particles and honorific prefixes
unit prefixes (related)
Standards and regulation
National rules for sorting surnames with particles
SI Brochure for unit prefixes
Failure modes and hazards
Wrong sorting of names with particles
False etymologies
Hyphenation errors
Also called
+75
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.prefix
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Form Which prefix.
Language decides rules.
Language
Source.
Language
Language.
- Which language and which prefix is it? definition
- Where does it come from? provenance
Meaning
Effect.
Meaning
Meaning.
- What meaning does it add? definition
- Does it change word class? definition
Usage Forming words.
Rules govern attachment.
Rules
Attachment.
Rules
Attachment rules.
- Which stems can it attach to? definition
- Is a hyphen needed? boundary
Productivity
New words.
Productivity
Productivity.
- Is it still used to form new words? definition
- Which dictionary records it? provenance
Names Name particles.
Names have prefixes too.
Particles
Van, de, von.
Particles
Name particles.
- Is the particle part of the surname for sorting here? boundary
- Which national convention applies? provenance
Honorifics
Titles before names.
Honorifics
Honorific prefixes.
- Which honorific prefix is appropriate? definition
- Does the person prefer one? boundary
Translation Other languages.
Prefixes do not always translate.
Equivalents
Matches.
Equivalents
Equivalents.
- What is the equivalent in another language? action
- Is the meaning preserved? boundary
Senses
Unit and phone prefixes.
Senses
Other senses.
- Is a unit prefix or a telephone prefix meant? boundary
- Which entry fits? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should individual prefixes be separate entries?
- How should name particle rules be recorded by country?
- How should unit prefixes be linked?