meaning
NOUN:
1. what is intended to be, or actually is, expressed or indicated; signification; import:
the three meanings of a word.
2. the end, purpose, or significance of something:
What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of this intrusion?
3. the sense or significance of a word, sentence, symbol, etc; import; semantic or lexical content.
4. the purpose underlying or intended by speech, action, etc.
5. the inner, symbolic, or true interpretation, value, or message:
the meaning of a dream.
6. valid content; efficacy:
a law with little or no meaning.
7. the thing one intends to convey especially by language; purport:
Do not mistake my meaning.
8. the thing that is conveyed especially by language; import:
Many words have more than one meaning.
9. something meant or intended; aim:
a mischievous meaning was apparent.
10. significant quality, especially implication of a hidden or special significance:
a glance full of meaning.
Examples:
What is the precise meaning of this word in English?; an old word that has taken on a new meaning. —Merriam-Webster.
in linguistics:
1. the nonlinguistic cultural correlate, reference, or denotation of a linguistic form; expression.
2. linguistic content (opposed to expression).
in philosophy:
1. the sense of an expression; its connotation.
2. the reference of an expression; its denotation. In recent philosophical writings meaning can be used in both the above senses.
See also sense.
of logic:
1. the logical connotation of a word or phrase.
2. the logical denotation or extension of a word or phrase.
Origin:
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun); see mean1, -ing1, -ing2. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of meaning: Noun: 14th century. Adjective: 1726. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Updated: 22 August 2020 {6:37 PM}
1. what is intended to be, or actually is, expressed or indicated; signification; import:
the three meanings of a word.
2. the end, purpose, or significance of something:
What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of this intrusion?
3. the sense or significance of a word, sentence, symbol, etc; import; semantic or lexical content.
4. the purpose underlying or intended by speech, action, etc.
5. the inner, symbolic, or true interpretation, value, or message:
the meaning of a dream.
6. valid content; efficacy:
a law with little or no meaning.
7. the thing one intends to convey especially by language; purport:
Do not mistake my meaning.
8. the thing that is conveyed especially by language; import:
Many words have more than one meaning.
9. something meant or intended; aim:
a mischievous meaning was apparent.
10. significant quality, especially implication of a hidden or special significance:
a glance full of meaning.
Examples:
What is the precise meaning of this word in English?; an old word that has taken on a new meaning. —Merriam-Webster.
in linguistics:
1. the nonlinguistic cultural correlate, reference, or denotation of a linguistic form; expression.
2. linguistic content (opposed to expression).
in philosophy:
1. the sense of an expression; its connotation.
2. the reference of an expression; its denotation. In recent philosophical writings meaning can be used in both the above senses.
See also sense.
of logic:
1. the logical connotation of a word or phrase.
2. the logical denotation or extension of a word or phrase.
Origin:
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun); see mean1, -ing1, -ing2. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of meaning: Noun: 14th century. Adjective: 1726. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Updated: 22 August 2020 {6:37 PM}