Chapter 11 Words That Change Their Meanings

Question 1

What is amelioration? Give an example

Answer 1

A semantic change in which the meaning of a word changes from negative to positive. E.g. awesome used to mean dreadful, pretty used to mean sly

Question 2

What is pejoration? Give an example

Answer 2

A semantic change in which the meaning of a word changes from positive to negative. E.g. silly used to mean happy, awful used to mean majestic

Question 3

What is narrowing? Give an example

Answer 3

A semantic change in which the meaning of a word changes from general to specific. E.g. meat used to mean food of any kind, girl used to be a young child of either sex

Question 4

What is broadening/extension? Give an example

Answer 4

A semantic change in which the meaning of a word changes from general to specific. E.g. holiday used to mean a day of worship but now it’s any time off

Question 5

What is hyperbole? Give an example

Answer 5

Overuse if a word by speakers in a way that its meaning becomes weak and changes. E.g. sick is becoming cool

Question 6

What did husband used to mean?

Answer 6

Someone who managed land, animals, resources, or the house (it’s both broadening and narrowing)