Semantics

Semantics
Semantics Sem*an"tics, n. sing. or pl. [Gr. shmantikos having meaning, from sh^ma a sign.] 1. the study of the meanings of words and of the sense development of words; -- formerly called {semasiology}. [PJC]

2. a doctrine and philosophical approach to language and its relationship to thought and behavior, developed by Alfred Korzybski (1879-1950), which holds that the capacity to express ideas and thereby improve one's interaction with others and one's environment is enhanced by training in the more critical use of words and other symbols; -- also called {{general semantics}}. [PJC]

3. the meanings of words as they are used to achieve an effect; especially, the multiple meanings of words or the multiplicity of words having the same meaning; -- used in referring to the confusion that can be caused (intentionally or unintentionally) by multiple meanings; as, there's no real difference, it's only a matter of semantics. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Semantics — is the study of meaning in communication. The word derives from Greek σημαντικός ( semantikos ), significant , [cite web|url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2393797|title=Semantikos, Henry… …   Wikipedia

  • semantics — [sə man′tiks] n. [< SEMANTIC, based on Fr sémantique] 1. the branch of linguistics concerned with the nature, the structure, and the development and changes of the meanings of speech forms, or with contextual meaning 2. a) SEMIOTICS b) the… …   English World dictionary

  • semantics — index meaning Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Semantics —   [engl.], Semantik …   Universal-Lexikon

  • semantics — science of meaning in language, 1893, from Fr. sémantique (1883); see SEMANTIC (Cf. semantic) (also see ICS (Cf. ics)). Replaced semasiology (1847), from Ger. Semasiologie (1829), from Gk. semasia signification, meaning …   Etymology dictionary

  • semantics — ► PLURAL NOUN (usu. treated as sing. ) 1) the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning. 2) the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text. DERIVATIVES semanticist noun …   English terms dictionary

  • semantics — semanticist /si man teuh sist/, semantician /see man tish euhn/, n. /si man tiks/, n. (used with a sing. v.) 1. Ling. a. the study of meaning. b. the study of linguistic development by classifying and examining changes in meaning and form. 2.… …   Universalium

  • semantics — General semantics Gen er*al sem*an tics, n. (1933) a doctrine and philosophical approach to language and its relationship to thought and behavior, developed by Alfred Korzybski (1879 1950), which holds that the capacity to express ideas and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • semantics — noun /sɪˈmæntɪks/ a) A branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words. Semantics is a foundation of lexicography. b) The study of the relationship between words and their meanings. The semantics of the terms used are debatable. See Also:… …   Wiktionary

  • semantics — n. general; generative semantics * * * [sɪ mæntɪks] generative semantics general …   Combinatory dictionary

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