Definition

The quality of a verb or verb phrase that indicates whether an action or event is viewed as complete or finished.

Example

In linguistics, telicity helps to determine how we understand the duration and completion of actions in sentences.

Conversation

I was reading about telicity in my linguistics class yesterday.

Oh really? What does it mean exactly?

It refers to how some verbs show that an action is complete or finished.

That sounds interesting! So, can you give me an example?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Telicity is derived from the Greek word "telos" (meaning end or goal) and the suffix "-icity" (meaning the state or quality of). The term refers to the quality of having a definite endpoint or goal in a process or action.

Memory Tip

Think of 'telos' meaning 'end' to remember that 'telicity' refers to the quality of having a definite endpoint.

Visually Confused Words