| onomatopoeia |
| Definition:
(1) The forming of a word by imitating a sound that is associated with the thing being named. (2) This behaviour as a word formation process. (3) A word formed by this process. |
| Example: In English bees buzz, birds chirp, and Mormons murmur. Sometimes different peoples hear the same things differently. Thus in English, dogs say bow wow ; in Korean they say mung mung; and in Chinese they say wang wang. |
| Etymology: It derives via Late Latin from the Greek onomatopoiia, the making of a name or word by imitating the thing's sound (from the Greek onoma, word or name + poiein, make). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The word's first OED citation is from 1577: "Onomatopeia, when we invent, devise, fayne, and make a name intimating the sound of that it signifieth, as hurlyburly, for an uprore and tumultuous stirre." (Peacham Gard. Eloquence) |