Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is polysemy?
What is polysemy?
What is the opposite of polysemy?
What is the opposite of polysemy?
How are polysemous words listed in a dictionary?
How are polysemous words listed in a dictionary?
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?
Signup and view all the answers
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?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a homonymic word?
What is an example of a homonymic word?
Signup and view all the answers
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?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a fundamental characteristic of polysemous words?
What is a fundamental characteristic of polysemous words?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'polysemy' derive from?
What does the term 'polysemy' derive from?
Signup and view all the answers
If a word has only one meaning it is a
If a word has only one meaning it is a
Signup and view all the answers
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
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
