tatˈpu̇rəshə, ˌtət- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Sanskrit tatpuruṣa, literally, his servant (a compound of this type), from tad-, tat- that one (from tad, neuter demonstrative pron.) + puruṣa man, servant
1. : a class of compound words having as first constituent a noun or noun stem that modifies the second constituent by standing in the relation to it of possessor (as in sheepskin ), thing possessed (as in motorboat ), object of action (as in shoemaker ), location or habitat (as in tree toad ), agent (as in man-made ), instrument (as in landlocked ), or any of numerous other relations
2. : a compound word belonging to the tatpurusha class — see dependent I 2f