TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

SEMANTIC SHIFT [2 records]

Record 1 2017-05-05

English

Subject field(s)
  • Neology and Linguistic Borrowing
DEF

A process in which the meaning of an existing word is significantly altered.

CONT

Types of semantic shift include specialization, generalization, metaphor, simile, and synecdoche (a part is put for a whole, or the whole for a part: "creature" for "man" and "boards" for "stage").

French

Domaine(s)
  • Néologie et emprunts
OBS

Par exemple : fourchette (de salaires), navette (spatiale), faim (d'azote), œil photoélectrique.

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 1986-11-25

English

Subject field(s)
  • Semantics
  • Diachronic Linguistics and Etymology
DEF

A shift in the meaning of a word. The meaning may be widened or narrowed ..., changed in the positive or negative direction, or transferred by metaphor.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sémantique
  • Linguistique diachronique et étymologie
CONT

Le glissement (ou changement) de sens est considéré par Ch. Bally comme un processus de dérivation implicite.

Spanish

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