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View synonyms for polysemy

polysemy

[ puh-lis-uh-mee, pol-ee-see-mee ]

noun

  1. a condition in which a single word, phrase, or concept has more than one meaning or connotation.


polysemy

/ pəˈlɪsəmɪ; ˌpɒlɪˈsiːmɪ /

noun

  1. the existence of several meanings in a single word Compare monosemy
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˌpolyˈsemous, adjective
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Other Words From

  • poly·semous adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of polysemy1

First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin polysēmia, equivalent to Late Latin polysēm(us) “with many significations” (from Greek polýsēmos, equivalent to poly- “many” + sêm(a) “sign” + -os adjective suffix) + -ia noun suffix; poly-, -y 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of polysemy1

C20: from New Latin polysēmia, from Greek polusēmos having many meanings, from poly- + sēma a sign

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polysaccharidepolysepalous