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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

masculinize

Is this a word?

That haircut masculinizes you.

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Top answer

It makes sense, but to my knowledge it is not recognized by authorities as a true word. Words, though, are created when we need to express something that the language doesn't provide for. So maybe there's hope for your word.

  • It makes sense, but to my knowledge it is not recognized by authorities as a true word.
  • Words, though, are created when we need to express something that the language doesn't provide for.
  • So maybe there's hope for your word.
  • President Nixon created a word when he wanted to express the idea of the US pulling out of a military situation, and it took hold, at least in the press: Vietnamization.
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2 Answers
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It makes sense, but to my knowledge it is not recognized by authorities as a true word. Words, though, are created when we need to express something that the language doesn't provide for. So maybe there's hope for your word. President Nixon created a word when he wanted to express the idea of the US pulling out of a military situation, and it took hold, at least in the press: Vietnamization.
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"Masculinize" is a main entry in the Shorter Oxford. They date it from the early twentieth century. "Masculinization" is slightly older at late nineteenth. But even if it was not in any dictionary, it would still be a word. It is formed in the regular way from roots and affixes, and its meaning is patent.

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