1-variant 1The subject matters of Lexicology

3...The extension and the restriction of meaning words. The result of semantic change can be observed in:  1) restriction (or narrowing) of meaning. Restriction of meaning is the capacity of a word to narrow its meaning in the course of historical development; 2) extention(orwidening)ofmeaning.  It  is  the  expantion  of  polymemy  in  the  course  of  its  historical development, i. e. it is the widening of meaning. Ex. The word “fowl” meant in old English “any bird” but in modern English it denotes “ a domestic hen or cock,- old meaning of “affiction” was -any feeling, new meaning is a felling of love. The word “juke” originally meant sailor’swordmeaning“oldrope”.Now itmeans“rubbishuseless  stuff”.  This  is  an  example  of  extention  of  meaning.  The  word  “meat” originally meant “food” now it means one special type of food. This is an example of narrowing of meaning. As a result of change of meaning o word may get a new meaning which will be broader or more generalized than the old one. Ex. season. The old meaning of the word “season” was “spring”. The new meaning is any part of the year. Here is another example. The old meaning of  “to bootleg” was to sell alcocholic drinks illegally” New meaning is “ to sell anothing illegally”. 

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