semantic change

Question 1

amelioration

Answer 1

when the word has changed to have a more positive meaning over time
- wicked
- sick

Question 2

pejoration

Answer 2

where a word has come to have a more negative meaning over time
- mistress

Question 3

broadening (extension)

Answer 3

where the meaning of a word becomes broader (extended) over time
- holiday used to refer to religious festivals –> derived from holy day
- dog used to be the name for a particular breed of dog but now its meaning encompasses dogs in general

Question 4

narrowing (specialisation)

Answer 4

where the meaning of a word becomes more narrow over time and more specialised
- lily was used to describe any flower but now means a specific type

Question 5

shift

Answer 5

where the meaning of a word changes over time to reflect changing circumstances or technology
- a dashboard used to refer to the strip of wood or leather in from of a horse drawn carriage which protected against mud splashes

Question 6

weakening

Answer 6

where a word looses its power
- awful used to mea terrifying - to cause awe

Question 7

euphemisms

Answer 7

polite terms are created to refer to taboo topics
- lavatory –> toilet, bog

Question 8

dysphemisms

Answer 8

an expression with connotations that are offensive either about
- I took a dump for I went to the toilet