Word meaning and its structure

the branch of linguistics concerned with the meaning of words

and word equivalents.
(Greek) semasia - signification (значение, смысл) and logos - learning.

and semantic structure of words
semantic development of words
the main tendencies

of the change of word-meanings
semantic grouping in the vocabulary system (synonyms, antonyms)
semantic fields

or other connected with the referent (object of reality denoted

by the word).
The meaning is formulated by establishing the interdependence between words and objects of reality they denote.
The meaning is often understood as an object or phenomenon in the outside world that is referred to by a word.

word is defined by its functioning within phrase or a

sentence.
The meaning of linguistic unit is studied only through its relation to other linguistic units.
The meaning is viewed as the function of a word in speech.

the thought of the object that singles out the most

typical, the most essential features of the object.

"fixed residence of family or household" −

home
Ukrainian

дім




домівкa

Meaning of many words not only conveys some reflection of

objective reality but also the speaker's attitude to what he is speaking about, his state of mind.

The concept of size: big / large / tremendous

(object denoted

by the word)

meaning is called semantics.
Meaning is a certain reflection in

our mind of objects, phenomena or relations that makes part of the linguistic sign − its so-called inner facet (аспект, грань, сторона), whereas the sound-form functions as its outer facet.

the relationships between words.
Lexical meaning − the realization of

concept or emotion by means of a definite language system.

meaning determined by reality. The direct nominative meaning stands in

one-to-one relationship with a word. cat, table, sun
2. Phraseologically bound meaning of words depending on the peculiarities of their usage in a given language, e.g. to take care, to have a smoke, to catch a cold.

those which change with the change of the environment. Compare

the following verbs:
«to look» - to look for-- to look after

meaning

connotative meaning

name for an individual object.
makes communication possible.
is bound up

with its referent.
may have one constant referent – a moon
may have several referents - a hand

of meaning called connotations.
connotations reflect subjective, emotional attitude of

people toward object or phenomenon.
is unstable. In most cases it reveals itself only through contexts.

conveys about the speaker's attitude to the social circumstances and

the appropriate functional style (slay vs kill)
emotional connotation conveys the speaker's emotions (mummy vs mother)

object spoken of (clique vs group)

expressive/intensifying connotation is conveyed

by degree of intensity (adore vs love)

word is "frightening“.
the expressive or intensifying connotation is

"very, very good" or "very great":
terrific beauty, terrific pleasure

helps create irony, sarcasm, metaphor and other figures of speech.

A word having several meanings is called polysemantic and

most English words are like this.

one or more legs, on which objects may be placed
2)

a) such a slab or board on which food is served we were six at table b) (as modifier) table linen c) (in combination) a tablecloth
3) food as served in a particular household or restaurant
4) such a piece of furniture specially designed for any of various purposes
5) a) a company of persons assembled for a meal, game, etc b) (as modifier) table talk
6) any flat or level area, such as a plateau
7) a rectangular panel set below or above the face of a wall
8) architecture another name for cordon
9) an upper horizontal facet of a cut gem
10) music the sounding board of a violin, guitar, or similar stringed instrument

linguistic environment
- analogy
- the context
extra-linguistic
- cultural
- social
-

psychological

of meaning (specialization);
3. transference of meaning (metaphor and metonymy);
4. elevation

of meaning (amelioration);
5. degradation of meaning (pejoration).

process of extension a word-meaning may acquire a higher degree

of abstraction or more generalized character.

“manuscript” originally meant only something handwritten. Now it refers to any copy either written by hand or printed.

narrowing, a word-meaning acquires a specialized sense in which it

is applicable only to some of the objects or phenomena it previously denoted.
a corpse - a human or animal body, living or dead. Now this word has been specialized to mean «a dead body», usually that of a human being.

process of elevation a word acquires the meaning of a

greater importance than its original meaning.

marshal - originally meant a horse servant, now its meaning is «an officer of the highest rank»

process of pejoration the word acquires unfavourable connotations or falls

into disrepute.
«vulgar» - originally meant «common, ordinary»;
«gossip» - originally meant «a god parent»;
«silly» - originally meant «happy».

the figures of speech are used.

Figures

of speech are expressive means and stylistic devices such as metaphor and metonymy.

word based on the association of similarity between the objects

or phenomena.

a woman can be called «a peach» if she is young and beautiful, or «a lemon» if she is ugly and boring.

word based on the association of contiguity between objects or

phenomena.

«cash» is an adaptation of the French word "caisse" which means "box" and in which money was contained. Now the meaning of this word is "money".
«crown» in the meaning of "monarchy"