Lexical Meaning (Noun)
Meaning
The meaning of a content word that depends on the nonlinguistic concepts it is used to express.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The lexical meaning of the word "dog" refers to the actual animal that it represents, as opposed to any figurative or associative meanings it may have.
- The lexical meaning of a word is often studied in lexicography, the study of words and their meanings.
- In linguistics, the lexical meaning of a word is distinguished from its grammatical meaning, which is determined by its role in a sentence.
- The lexical meaning of a word can be subject to historical and cultural variations, as words can evolve and acquire new meanings over time.
- Understanding the lexical meaning of technical terms is essential in academic writing, where precise terminology is crucial for clear communication.