LusiNingsih: April 2016

Antonym, Synonym and Hyponym

Synonym

A synonym is a word that means exactly the same as, or very nearly the same as, another word in the same language. For example, "close" is a synonym of "shut".

 Organization, institution, management

 Partner, associate, colleague, companion

 Polite, courteous, cordial, gracious

 Risky, dangerous, perilous, treacherous

 Sleepy, drowsy, listless, sluggish

 Vacant, empty, deserted, uninhabited

Antonym

An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. For example "bad" is an antonym of "good". Here are some more examples:

Antonym Examples

Achieve – Fail
Idle – Active
Afraid – Confident
Ancient – Modern
Arrive – Depart
Arrogant – Humble
Ascend – Descend
Attack – Defend
Blunt – Sharp
Brave – Cowardly
Cautious – Careless
Complex – Simple

Hyponym

Hyponymy shows the relationship between the more general terms (hypernyms) and the more specific instances of it (hyponyms). A hyponym is a word or phrase whose semantic field is more specific than its hypernym. The semantic field of a hypernym, also known as a superordinate, is broader than that of a hyponym

"Hyponymy is a less familiar term to most people than either synonymy or antonymy, but it refers to a much more important sense relation. It describes what happens when we say 'An X is a kind of Y'--A daffodil is a kind of flower, or simply, A daffodil is a flower."
(David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2003)

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-antonyms-synonyms-and-homonyms.html#cJ64DTRxGOcuOgQb.99

http://grammar.about.com/od/fh/g/hyponymterm.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponymy_and_hypernymy

https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/synonyms-antonyms.htm

Methapor, Simile and Symbol

Definition

Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some common characteristics.

Common Speech Examples of Metaphors

Most of us think of a metaphor as a device used in songs or poems only, and that it has nothing to do with our everyday life. In fact, all of us in our routine life speak, write and think in metaphors. We cannot avoid them. Metaphors are sometimes constructed through our common language. They are called conventional metaphors. Calling a person a “night owl” or an “early bird” or saying “life is a journey” are common conventional metaphor examples commonly heard and understood by most of us. Below are some more conventional metaphors we often hear in our daily life:

My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.)
The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)
It is going to be clear skies from now on. (This implies that clear skies are not a threat and life is going to be without hardships)
The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness is a threat; therefore, this implies that the coming times are going to be hard for him.)
Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy)

Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a direct comparison.

Similes for Kids

Simile examples that begin with “as”:

As American as apple pie
As big as an elephant
As black as coal
As blind as a bat
As bold as brass
As boring as watching paint dry
As brave as a lion
As bright as a button
As busy as a bee
As cheap as dirt
As clean as a whistle

Symbol

Something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance; especially : a visible sign of something invisible <the lion is a symbol of courage>

Symbolism in Everyday Life

Our language contains an immense number of symbols whose intended meaning or significance is well-known and accepted by the majority. Of course, many of these do wind up in books, magazines, stories, and other written works.

Symbolism is found in colors:

Black is used to represent death or evil.
White stands for life and purity.
Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character.
Purple is a royal color.
Yellow stands for violence or decay.
Blue represents peacefulness and calm.

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-symbolism.html#yXWLXm4mOxjoPR2j.99

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbol

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/simile-examples-for-kids.html#CzeZFpUVqebrut3s.97

http://literarydevices.net/simile/

http://literarydevices.net/metaphor/

Ambiguity

Definition

Ambiguous words or statements lead to vagueness and confusion, and shape the basis for instances of unintentional humor. For instance, it is ambiguous to say “I rode a black horse in red pajamas,” because it may lead us to think the horse was wearing red pajamas. The sentence becomes clear when it is restructured “Wearing red pajamas, I rode a black horse.”

Common Ambiguity Examples

Below are some common examples of ambiguity:

A good life depends on a liver – Liver may be an organ or simply a living person.

Foreigners are hunting dogs – It is unclear whether dogs were being hunted or foreigners are being spoken of as dogs.

Each of us saw her duck – It is not clear whether the word “duck” refers to an action of ducking or a duck that is a bird.

The passerby helps dog bite victim – Is the passerby helping a dog bite someone? Or is he helping a person bitten by a dog? It’s not clear.

Sentence Examples

Their actions showed moral ambiguity.
The ambiguity cannot be cured.
The term "wilderness" shows geographical ambiguity because the boundries are not defined.
On the other hand, the ambiguity may be quite unintentional.
He is in charge of ambiguity resolution.

References :
http://www.yourdictionary.com/ambiguity#hO8fpEbFcJy1xomo.99

http://literarydevices.net/ambiguity/

Denotation, Connotation and Implication

Denotation and Connotation

Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word, the "dictionary definition."¨ For example, if you look up the word snake in a dictionary, you will discover that one of its denotative meanings is "any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles¡Khaving a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions."
Connotation, on the other hand, refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word. The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative meanings. The connotations for the word snake could include evil or danger.

Denotation Examples in Literature

Let us analyze a few examples from literature:
1. An example of denotation literary term can be found in the poetic work of Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall”:
“And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.”
In the above lines, the word “wall” is used to suggest a physical boundary which is its denotative meaning but it also implies the idea of “emotional barrier”.

Examples of Connotation in Literature

In literature, it is a common practice among writers to deviate from the literal meanings of words in order to create novel ideas. Figures of speech frequently employed by writers are examples of such deviations.

Example #1

Metaphors are words that connote meanings that go beyond their literal meanings. Shakespeare in his Sonnet 18 says:
“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day”
Here, the phrase “a Summer’s Day” implies the fairness of his beloved. Similarly, John Donne says in his poem “The Sun Rising”:
“She is all states, and all princes, I.”
This line suggests the speaker’s belief that he and his beloved are wealthier than all the states, kingdoms, and rulers in the whole world because of their love.
Implication
An implication is something that is suggested, or happens, indirectly. When you left the gate open and the dog escaped, you were guilty by implication.

Sentence Examples

Lisa ignored his crude implication and kept her attention on his mother.
She ignored his implication that women should be punished like children.
The implication was as obvious as it was annoying.
But Dean's denial of Cynthia's implication appeared well founded given her reaction to the discovery of the body in Norfolk.
She started to defend herself, but his implication was insulting.