Emblematical

/ɛmbləˈmætɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Serving as an emblem or symbol; emblematic (an older or more formal version of emblematic).

Etymology

From emblematic plus the suffix -al, a doublet formation that was more common in older English. The -al suffix comes from Latin and adds the meaning 'of or relating to.'

Kelly Says

English loved adding -al to already complete adjectives in the 1600s-1800s—creating 'emblematical' alongside 'emblematic.' It's like saying both 'music' and 'musical'—the redundancy eventually faded, leaving emblematic as the preferred form.

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