Monosemy (Noun)
Meaning
Having a single meaning (absence of ambiguity) usually of individual words or phrases.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The term "bachelor" is an example of monosemy, as it typically has only one clear meaning: an unmarried man.
- The linguist argued that the word "husband" is a case of monosemy, as it refers specifically to a married man, without any additional connotations.
- The poet carefully chose words with monosemy to convey her intended message without any risk of misinterpretation.
- The technical term "nanometer" is an instance of monosemy, as it has a precise and unambiguous meaning in scientific contexts.
- In the field of law, monosemy is crucial, as words and phrases with multiple meanings can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation of statutes.