What is composite meaning?

Composite meaning is a linguistic term that refers to the meaning that is produced when two or more words are combined. It is the result of combining the meanings of multiple words to create a new, more complex meaning. The composite meaning may be different from the meanings of the individual words.

For example, the phrase "hot dog" combines the meanings of the words "hot" and "dog" to create a new meaning that refers to a type of food. The composite meaning of "hot dog" is not simply the combination of "hot" and "dog" but rather a new meaning that is associated with a specific type of food.

In linguistics, the composite meaning of a word or phrase can also be influenced by factors such as syntax, context, and culture. Additionally, composite meaning is one of the ways that language is able to evolve and adapt to new concepts and ideas.