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Questions and Answers
What is polysemy?
What is polysemy?
- A word with unclear meanings
- A word with multiple meanings (correct)
- A word with opposite meanings
- A word with one meaning
What is the opposite of polysemy?
What is the opposite of polysemy?
- Polygamy
- Monosemy (correct)
- Synonymy
- Homonymy
How are polysemous words listed in a dictionary?
How are polysemous words listed in a dictionary?
- As separate words
- Under multiple entries
- In alphabetical order
- Under a single entry (correct)
One fundamental characteristic of polysemous words is that all the different meanings are associated in related senses. Because of this, what type of meanings does polysemy have?
One fundamental characteristic of polysemous words is that all the different meanings are associated in related senses. Because of this, what type of meanings does polysemy have?
Which type of words have different meanings but the same pronunciation and/or spelling?
Which type of words have different meanings but the same pronunciation and/or spelling?
What is an example of a homonymic word?
What is an example of a homonymic word?
Which term refers to words with different meanings but the same pronunciation and/or spelling?
Which term refers to words with different meanings but the same pronunciation and/or spelling?
What is a fundamental characteristic of polysemous words?
What is a fundamental characteristic of polysemous words?
What does the term 'polysemy' derive from?
What does the term 'polysemy' derive from?
If a word has only one meaning it is a
If a word has only one meaning it is a
Study Notes
Polysemy
- Refers to the phenomenon where a single word or phrase has multiple related meanings
- Derives from Greek words "poly" (meaning 'many') and "sēma" (meaning 'sign')
Characteristics of Polysemous Words
- Have multiple meanings that are associated in related senses
- Often have denotative and connotative meanings
- Listed under a single dictionary entry
- Must stem from the same word class (e.g. noun-noun)
- Examples: mouse (animal - computer device), wings (parts of birds for flying - part of a building), beam (line of light - piece of wood)
Monosemy
- Refers to when one word has only one meaning
- Opposite of polysemy
Homonymic Words
- Refers to words with different meanings but with the same pronunciation and/or spelling
- Listed under multiple dictionary entries
- Can be verb-noun combination: to address - an address, to rock - a rock, to park - a park
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Description
Learn about polysemy, a linguistic term describing the phenomenon of words having multiple related meanings. Explore the characteristics of polysemous words and how their various meanings are associated in related senses.
