Semantic Change vocab Flashcards
Semantic change
Meanings changing, but the words stay the same
Amelioration
A word that takes on a different more positive meaning e.g. pretty - sly -> attractive ; priest - old man -> church leader
Pejoration
A word that takes on a different more negative meaning e.g. notorious - widely known -> infamous ; idiot - private citizen -> someone being stupid
Weakening
A word loses the strength of its original meaning e.g. soon - immediately -> in a short while
Narrowing
A word becomes more specific in its meaning e.g. meat - any food -> flesh of an animal ; wife - any woman -> married woman
Broadening
A word keeps its original meaning but gains other meanings too e.g. place - a broad street -> an area
Metaphor
A word acquires new meanings because it is used metaphorically e.g. bug, web
Euphemism
A way of describing something unpleasant in a more pleasant manner e.g. passed away, down-sizing
Idiom
An expression that can’t be understood literally e.g. pull your socks up, bull in a china shop
Metonym
A part of something is used to refer to the whole e.g. the crown = the Queen, Downing Street = Government
Taboo language
An expression or word that is considered taboo in certain contexts e.g. swear words, vulgar expressions, expletives