10 Questions
What is polysemy?
A word with multiple meanings
What is the opposite of polysemy?
Monosemy
How are polysemous words listed in a dictionary?
Under a single entry
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?
Denotative and connotative meanings
Which type of words have different meanings but the same pronunciation and/or spelling?
Homonymic words
What is an example of a homonymic word?
'Address' - to address vs. an address
Which term refers to words with different meanings but the same pronunciation and/or spelling?
Homonymy
What is a fundamental characteristic of polysemous words?
All meanings are associated in related senses
What does the term 'polysemy' derive from?
Greek words meaning 'many signs'
If a word has only one meaning it is a
monosemy
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
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.
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