Many toponyms are composed of ‘SPECIFIC’ and ‘GENERIC’ elements (or forms). The specific element is akin to a given name (functioning as the ‘identifier’), whereas the generic element is analogous to a classifier or family name, indicating to which class or ‘family’ the named place belongs.
Example_01:
“Montenegro” is a toponym, a country in Southeastern Europe.
This toponym is composed of specific and generic elements.
Specific element: -negro = black
Generic elements: Monte- = mountain.
Montenegro = Black mountain.
Example_02:
“Oxford” is a place-name, a city in England.
This toponym is composed of specific and generic elements.
Specific element: ox- = bull
Generic elements: -ford- = “a crossing”.
Oxford = oxen’s ford.
Example_03:
“Uzbekistan” is a toponym, a country in Central Asia.
This toponym is composed of specific and generic elements.
Specific element: Uzbek- = an ethnonym, “the Uzbek people”
Generic elements: -stan = Place, location.
Uzbekistan = The land of the Uzbeks.
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