What is "lexicalize"

lexicalize \lex"i*cal*ize\ (l[e^]ks"[i^]*kal*[imac]z), v. t.

1. To make into a word, coin into a word; as, The concept expressed by German "Gemuetlichkeit" is not lexicalized in English.

2. To increase the importance of, or emphasis on, words as opposed to other parts of a theory or program; -- said of grammatical theories and computer programs, especially programs for understanding language; as, lexicalized tree-adjoining grammar.

alt. (context transitive English) To convert to a single lexical unit, as a group of words with meaning beyond their parts. vb. (context transitive English) To convert to a single lexical unit, as a group of words with meaning beyond their parts.

v. make or coin into a word or accept a new word into the lexicon of a language; "The concept expressed by German `Gemuetlichkeit' is not lexicalized in English" [syn: lexicalise]