Language Change - Key Terms (Semantics) Flashcards
What is Narrowing?
When the meaning of a particular word becomes more specific.
What is Broadening?
When a word takes on additional new meanings.
What is Amelioration?
When the meaning of a word becomes more positive.
e.g. how ‘pretty’ used to mean sly or cunning, ‘wicked’ can now mean great.
What is Pejoration?
When the meaning becomes less favourable/more negative.
e.g. how ‘hussy’ used to be a housewife.
What is Metaphorical extension/idiomatic usage?
When words acquire new meanings because they
have been used metaphorically.
e.g. ‘over the moon’, ‘under the weather’, ‘in the
doghouse’.
What are Euphemisms?
An inoffensive way of describing something distasteful.
If something is Cliché, what does that mean?
An overused expression or idea.
Definition of Antithesis?
A figure of speech with sharply contrasting ideas
