English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From zero +‎ grade, as in gradation (apophony). Possibly after German Nullstufe.

Noun

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zero-grade (plural zero-grades)

  1. (Indo-European linguistics) In Proto-Indo-European linguistics, an ablaut form of a root characterized by the absence of the basic ablauting vowel phonemes */e/ and */o/.
    Synonym: (dated) vanishing grade
    Coordinate terms: e-grade / full-grade, o-grade, lengthened grade
    *bʰr̥- is the zero-grade of the Indo-European root *bʰer- meaning “to carry, bear”.

Translations

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