Laguage change - Semantic change 4.5 / 5 based on 4 ratings ? English LanguageChild language acquisitionA2/A-levelAQA Created by: Megan whiteCreated on: 01-05-13 15:22 Amelioration A word takes on a more positive meaning than it had previously. Pretty (meant "sly" now means "attractive" 1 of 5 Prejoration A word takes on a different more negative meaning than it had previously. Notoriously (did mean "widely known", now means "infamous") 2 of 5 Weakening A word loses its strength and original meaning. ("Soon" meant immediately, now means "in a short while") 3 of 5 Narrowing (or specialisation) A word becomes more specific in its meaning. ("wife" meant any woman, now it means married woman) 4 of 5 Broadening (or generalisation) A word keeps its original meaning but acquires others too. (place meant "a broad street", now it means an area) 5 of 5
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