semantics

semantics
One of the three branches into which semiotics is usually divided: the study of meaning of words, and the relation of signs to the objects to which the signs are applicable. In formal studies, a semantics is provided for a formal language when an interpretation or model is specified. However, a natural language comes ready interpreted, and the semantic problem is not that of specification but of understanding the relationship between terms of various categories (names, descriptions, predicates, adverbs…) and their meanings. An influential proposal is that this relationship is best understood by attempting to provide a truth definition for the language, which will involve giving a full description of the systematic effect terms and structure of different kinds have on the truth conditions of sentences containing them.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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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 — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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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