portmanteau

[ pawrt-man-toh, pohrt-; pawrt-man-toh, pohrt- ]
/ pɔrtˈmæn toʊ, poʊrt-; ˌpɔrt mænˈtoʊ, ˌpoʊrt- /

noun, plural port·man·teaus, port·man·teaux [pawrt-man-tohz, -toh, pohrt-; pawrt-man-tohz, -toh, pohrt-] /pɔrtˈmæn toʊz, -toʊ, poʊrt-; ˌpɔrt mænˈtoʊz, -ˈtoʊ, ˌpoʊrt-/. Chiefly British.

a case or bag to carry clothing in while traveling, especially a leather trunk or suitcase that opens into two halves.
Also called portmanteau word. Linguistics. blend(def 10).

Origin of portmanteau

1575–85; < French portemanteau literally, (it) carries (the) cloak; see port5, mantle

British Dictionary definitions for portmanteau word (1 of 2)

portmanteau word

noun

another name for blend (def. 7)

Word Origin for portmanteau word

C19: from the idea that two meanings are packed into one word

British Dictionary definitions for portmanteau word (2 of 2)

portmanteau
/ (pɔːtˈmæntəʊ) /

noun plural -teaus or -teaux (-təʊz)

(formerly) a large travelling case made of stiff leather, esp one hinged at the back so as to open out into two compartments
(modifier) embodying several uses or qualities the heroine is a portmanteau figure of all the virtues

Word Origin for portmanteau

C16: from French: cloak carrier, from porter to carry + manteau cloak, mantle