The meaning of linguistic unit is studied only through its relation to other linguistic units. This functional approach is attempted in contextual analysis, semantic syntax and some other branches of linguistics. In most present-day methods of lexicological analysis words are studied in context a word is defined by its functioning within a phrase or a sentence. So, meaning is often understood as an object or phenomenon in the outside world that is referred to by a word.įunctional approach to meaning. The meaning is formulated by establishing the interdependence between words and objects of reality they denote. The common feature of any referential approach is that meaning is in some form or other connected with the referent (object of reality denoted by the word). synonyms, antonyms, semantic fields, thematic groups, etc. The main objects of semasiological study are as follows: types of lexical meaning, polysemy and semantic structure of words, semantic development of words, the main tendencies of the change of word-meanings, semantic grouping in the vocabulary system, i.e.

Semasiology is a branch of linguistics concerned with the meaning of words and word equivalents. the chair may mean 'the chairman', the bar -'the lawyers'. It is a universal device in which the name of one thing is changed for that of another, to which it is related by association of ideas, as having close relationship to one another, e.g. The transfer of name based on the association of contiguity. It is the application of a name or a descriptive term to an object to which it is not literally applicable, e.g. The transfer of name based on the association of similarity. The change in the connotational component may result in the degradation - pejorative or ameliorative development of meaning. The change in the denotational component brings about the extension or the restriction of meaning. The semantic change, by which, for one reason or another, a word falls into disrepute, or acquires some derogatory emotive charge, e.g. minister in earlier times meant merely 'a servant'.ĭegradation (or_degeri.eration). The semantic change in the word which rises it from humble beginning to a position of greater importance, e.g. meat in OE meant 'food and drink'.Įlevation (or amelioration). The restriction of the semantic capacity of a word in the historical development, e.g. manuscript originally 'smth hand-written'. the expansion of polysemy in the course of its historical development, e.g. The extension of semantic capacity of a word, i.e.

Another word for things or developments