HYPHEN

hyphen, dash

(noun) a punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text

hyphenate, hyphen

(verb) divide or connect with a hyphen; “hyphenate these words and names”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

hyphen (plural hyphens)

The symbol "‐", typically used to join two or more words to form a compound term, or to indicate that a word has been split at the end of a line.

(figuratively) Something that links two more consequential things.

An enclosed walkway or passage that connects two buildings.

Someone who belongs to a marginalized subgroup, and can therefore described by a hyphenated term, such as "German-American", "female-academic", etc.

Usage notes

Because the original symbol "-" (technically the hyphen-minus) covered usages aside from hyphenation there have been additional subsequent symbols created for hyphenation needs. They include the "‐" (hyphen), ‑ (non-breaking hyphen) and the non-visible soft hyphen.

Verb

hyphen (third-person singular simple present hyphens, present participle hyphening, simple past and past participle hyphened)

(transitive, dated) To separate or punctuate with a hyphen; to hyphenate.

Conjunction

hyphen

Used to emphasize the coordinating function usually indicated by the punctuation "-".

Synonyms

• (used as coordinator): slash, cum

Source: Wiktionary

Hy"phen, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Hypo-.] (Print.)

Definition: A mark or short dash, thus [-], placed at the end of a line which terminates with a syllable of a word, the remainder of which is carried to the next line; or between the parts of many a compound word; as in fine-leaved, clear-headed. It is also sometimes used to separate the syllables of words.

Hy"phen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hyphened; p. pr. & vb. n. Hyphening.]

Definition: To connect with, or separate by, a hyphen, as two words or the parts of a word.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition