Which of the following best defines morphology?

Morphology is best defined as the systematic approach to word structure. It focuses on how words are formed and structured from smaller units called morphemes, which are the smallest meaning-carrying elements of language. This includes examining prefixes, suffixes, roots, and bases, and understanding how these components can be combined to create new words or change the meanings of existing ones.

By studying morphology, linguists can analyze how different grammatical forms of a word interact and how they affect meaning and function within a sentence. This is crucial for understanding the complexities of language and the rules governing word formation. Hence, identifying and analyzing these structural elements is the heart of morphological study.