Semantics Terminology Flashcards
(20 cards)
Connotation
The emotional or cultural associations attached to a word beyond its literal meaning
Detonation
The literal definition of a word
Ambiguity
A word or phrase that has multiple possible meanings
Context
The surrounding text or situation that influences how a word or phrase is understood
Contextual meaning
How the meaning of a word changes depending on the context it is used in
Figurative language
Figures of speech (EG metaphors and similes) to convey meaning beyond the literal
Irony
A situation or expression where the meaning is opposite to the literal meaning for humorous or dramatic effect
Literal meaning
The straightforward, direct meaning of words or phrases without any figurative or metaphorical interpretation
Metonymy
A figure of speech in which something is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it (EG addressing the president as the white house)
Synecdoche
A figure of speech where a part of something represents the whole, or the whole represents a part EG “all hands on deck” (hands represents people)
Taboo
Words or topics considered socially inappropriate or offensive
Repetition
The repeated use of words or phrases for emphasis, clarity or effect
Stereotype
A widely held but oversimplified or generalised belief about a particular group of people or things
Subtext
The underlying meaning or theme in a text, often implied rather than explicitally stated
Deixis
Words or phrases that cannot be fully understood without additional context EG “I will see you tomorrow” (the meaning of tomorrow depends on when it is said)
Semantic field
Another term for lexical field, used to describe a set of words grouped by meaning
Collocation
Common or frequent pairing of a particular word with another word or words
Ambiguity
A word, phrases or swtatement with multiple meanings that cannot create confusion.
Exaggeration
Using over the top language to make something seem more significant or dramatic
Understatement
The presentation of something as being less important than it is, often to create irony or humour
