Lexis and Semantics Flashcards
Denotative and connotational meanings
The literal (denotative) and associated (connotational) meanings of words.
Figurative language
Language used in a non-literal way in order to describe something in another’s terms
Give an example of figurative language
Simile or metaphor
Semantic field
Groups of words connected by a shared meaning
Synonyms
Words that have equivalent meanings
Antonyms
Words that have contrasting meanings
Hypernyms
Words whose meanings contain other words
Give an example of a hypernym
animal - contains dog, cat, fish etc.
Hyponyms
Words that can be included in a larger, more general category
Give an example of hyponyms
The hyponyms car, bus, aeroplane as a form of the hypernym transport
Jargon
A technical vocabulary associated with a particular occupation or activity.
Sociolect
A language style associated with a particular social group
Dialect
A language style associated with a particular geographical region.
Neology
The process of new word formation, including the following: blends, compounds, acronyms, initialisms, eponyms.
Semantic Change
The process of words changing meaning, including the following: narrowing, broadening, amelioration, pejoration, semantic reclamation.
