THE VOLUME OF THE GERM: THE GERM-WORD

This article discusses the components of the linear structure of a complex syntactical whole – germ, identifies its properties, qualities, features of functioning. Particular attention is paid to the volume characteristic of a germ, that is measured by principles and parameters on the of the field of linguistic tension and the whole complex germ outlined in the course of research. Germ-word having the smallest volume at the highest concentration of linguistic features, is considered in the aspect of the most important principles for determining the volume of germ in view of the values which it acquires in a particular complex syntactic whole, and taking into account the functional and semantic conditions.