thematicization

English

Etymology

thematic +‎ -ization

Noun

thematicization (countable and uncountable, plural thematicizations)

1. (Indo-European linguistics) Insertion of a thematic vowel on the root or stem of the word to make it undergo one of the productive vocalic inflections.

Usage notes

The term is used both for proto-language, i.e. Proto-Indo-European where the thematic vowel was *-o, and for daughter languages which had inflections on other vowels.