Around 1999, a woman told me about this sort of meta-verb (in English) which I found so magical. I've been searching for this word again but can't find it.
As an example, I could say "Look, I attached these three short wooden rods to the bottom of this flat circle of wood. I can place it so that the rods are against the floor and then rest my bottom against the circle of wood, thereby elevating me above the floor. How nice." But if instead I say, "I made a stool," I've taken that whole idea and expressed it in one word, and this word carries meaning even beyond the one stool I just made. If there were no such word, stool, this concept of wood-assisted buttocks elevation would never congeal in the same way.
What is the word for this thing that happens when a word for something is created or discovered?
Edit: I really appreciate all of these awesome words you all have shared. I've been studying the meanings of neologism and reify. And I think what I'm basically looking for is neologistic reification. Does anyone know of a single word synonym for something like neologistic reification?
Best Answer
Neologism, coining a new word. This can also be used as a noun.