Semantic Change vocab

Question 1

Semantic change

Answer 1

Meanings changing, but the words stay the same

Question 2

Amelioration

Answer 2

A word that takes on a different more positive meaning e.g. pretty - sly -> attractive ; priest - old man -> church leader

Question 3

Pejoration

Answer 3

A word that takes on a different more negative meaning e.g. notorious - widely known -> infamous ; idiot - private citizen -> someone being stupid

Question 4

Weakening

Answer 4

A word loses the strength of its original meaning e.g. soon - immediately -> in a short while

Question 5

Narrowing

Answer 5

A word becomes more specific in its meaning e.g. meat - any food -> flesh of an animal ; wife - any woman -> married woman

Question 6

Broadening

Answer 6

A word keeps its original meaning but gains other meanings too e.g. place - a broad street -> an area

Question 7

Metaphor

Answer 7

A word acquires new meanings because it is used metaphorically e.g. bug, web

Question 8

Euphemism

Answer 8

A way of describing something unpleasant in a more pleasant manner e.g. passed away, down-sizing

Question 9

Idiom

Answer 9

An expression that can’t be understood literally e.g. pull your socks up, bull in a china shop

Question 10

Metonym

Answer 10

A part of something is used to refer to the whole e.g. the crown = the Queen, Downing Street = Government

Question 11

Taboo language

Answer 11

An expression or word that is considered taboo in certain contexts e.g. swear words, vulgar expressions, expletives