endocentric

[ en-doh-sen-trik ]
/ ˌɛn doʊˈsɛn trɪk /

adjective Grammar.

(of a construction or compound) having the same syntactic function in the sentence as one of its immediate constituents. Cold water is an endocentric construction, since it functions as would the noun water. Greenhouse is an endocentric compound, since it is a noun as is its head house.
Compare exocentric.

Origin of endocentric

First recorded in 1930–35; endo- + -centric

Words nearby endocentric

endocarditis, endocardium, endocarp, endocarpoid, endocast, endocentric, endocervical, endocervicitis, endocervix, endochondral bone, endochondral ossification

British Dictionary definitions for endocentric

endocentric
/ (ˌɛndəʊˈsɛntrɪk) /

adjective

grammar (of a construction) fulfilling the grammatical role of one of its constituents; as in three blind mice, where the whole noun phrase fulfils the same role as its head noun mice Compare exocentric