semantics

Definition

A branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words.

Etymology

From French sémantique, displacing earlier semasiology. From Ancient Greek σημαντικός (sēmantikós). By surface analysis, semantic + -ics.

Example Sentences

• "Holonym: linguistics"
• "Meronyms: semasiology, onomasiology"
• "lexical semantics"

Related Words