Key Words

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Pejoration
Word takes on a more negative meaning than it had previously, therefore losing status
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Transfer of meaning
Sometimes the meaning of the word shifts, so that the word refers to a different- though often closely associated- set of things.
2 of 14
Analogy
Using an old word in a new yet similar situation
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Abandoned
Some words are abandoned (become obsolete) because they are no longer needed
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Register Drift
A word that is thought to be slang can eventually gain acceptance as being respectable however words can also drift the other way
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Narrowing
A word becomes more specific
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Broadening
A word keeps its original meaning but acquires additional meanings
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Amelioration
A word takes on a more positive meaning
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Replacement
Words are replaced because of fashion or other influences such as political correctness
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Eponymy
Using a personal name as a word i.e she's a Cinderella
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Metaphor
One specific way in which meaning can be transferred is through metaphor. A metaphor involves talking about something in terms of something else
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Dead metaphor
When a metaphor is used frequently, it becomes conventional and we gradually stop perceiving it as a metaphor
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Weakening
A word loses the strength, force and specificity of its original meaning
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Functional shift
Occurs when a word changes its word class
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Sometimes the meaning of the word shifts, so that the word refers to a different- though often closely associated- set of things.

Back

Transfer of meaning

Card 3

Front

Using an old word in a new yet similar situation

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Some words are abandoned (become obsolete) because they are no longer needed

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

A word that is thought to be slang can eventually gain acceptance as being respectable however words can also drift the other way

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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