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POLYSEMOUS [16 records]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2021-09-29

English

Subject field(s)
  • Lexicology, Lexicography, Terminology
DEF

A word with two opposite or contradictory meanings.

OBS

Contronyms can take the form of polysemous words... or homographs...

French

Domaine(s)
  • Lexicologie, lexicographie et terminologie
DEF

Mot signifiant une chose et son contraire.

OBS

[Un exemple d'un contronyme est] «hôte», qui désigne celui qui reçoit et celui qui est reçu.

Spanish

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Record 2 2017-03-13

English

Subject field(s)
  • Occupation Names (General)
  • Indigenous Arts and Culture
DEF

The popular early name for an American Indian who treats the sick or has special powers. More specific terms are used by contemporary scholars. Medicine men also exist in other primitive societies.

CONT

The medicine man played the role of mediator between the gods and simple humans. He interpreted dreams, directed all religious ceremonies and dances, questioned the supernatural powers, looked into the future and advised the warriors. Finally he cured the sick, using magic plants, and practised exorcism and magic with incantations related to the Micmac nation’s religious mythology.

CONT

In religious matters, powwows (priests or medicine men) were in charge, using their powers to cure the sick, bring rain or ensure victory in battle.

CONT

The Indian of the Colombian Amazon distinguish two general classes of bioactive plants. The first are regarded as sacred, and they are used exclusively by or under the strict supervision of the "payé", or medicine man.

OBS

Stylistic synonyms :"medicine man", "pow(w) ow", "predictor" and "shaman". These three terms have all too frequently been used interchangeably, owing to the overlapping job descriptions of each one of these terms. The same can be said of the corresponding French equivalents "sorcier", "guérisseur", "chaman(e) ", "homme-médecine", "sorcier guérisseur", etc. Often an author's selection of one word over that of another is solely based on a particular perspective he wants to impart on his text : by using "medicine", he would emphasize the beneficial powers of the person in question; whereas by using "shaman", a term originally used to refer to a Siberian medicine man, the author would focus on the use of magic in the performance of rituals. Note however that "shaman/chamane" would be the term used by Europeans to describe the occult performed by non-Europeans; it would not be used by native peoples to refer to one of their own kind. As for "powwow", this author does not recommend its use today because of the confusion that might arise, owing to the polysemous nature of the term(could also mean a special meeting). Nevertheless the use of "powwow", a specific native term used by certain aboriginal tribes in the past, could impart an ethnic coloring to a given text if such is desired. The interchangeability of similar terms occurs also in French. Hence, in French, one who heals but is not certified as a doctor is commonly called a "guérisseur"; whereas one who specializes in magic(whether for medicinal purposes or not) is called a "sorcier".

Key term(s)
  • payé

French

Domaine(s)
  • Désignations des emplois (Généralités)
  • Arts et culture autochtones
DEF

guérisseur : Spécialiste censé obtenir la guérison des malades ou réussir un traitement chirurgical grâce à des pouvoirs surnaturels ou grâce à des connaissances expérimentales positives dont la mise en œuvre est seulement favorisée par la bienveillance d'esprits tutélaires [...] Le rôle du «medicine-man» (ou guérisseur) au sens propre fut de la plus grande importance dans la plupart des sociétés indiennes d'Amérique.

DEF

Prêtre-sorcier, à la fois devin et thérapeute [...]

CONT

Le sorcier micmac jouait le rôle d'intermédiaire entre les divinités et les simples mortels. Il interprétait les rêves, dirigeait toutes les cérémonies religieuses et toutes les danses, interrogeait les puissances surnaturelles, prédisait l'avenir et conseillait les guerriers. Finalement, il guérissait les malades à l'aide des plantes magiques et pratiquait l'exorcisme et la magie au moyen d'incantations se rattachant à la mythologie religieuse de la nation micmaque.

CONT

Chez la plupart des tribus populeuses les hommes de médecine de cette classe étaient associés en gildes ou en sociétés, et à des occasions spéciales faisaient de grandes cérémonies de guérison ou «de restauration de la vie (vitalité)» [...]

Spanish

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Record 3 2014-01-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • General Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
  • Library Science
  • Internet and Telematics
CONT

An online dictionary is a valuable resource for reading comprehension. However, learners can quickly become discouraged if the information about a word searched for is buried among too much other information, e. g. the many definitions listed for highly polysemous words.

Key term(s)
  • on-line dictionary

French

Domaine(s)
  • Dictionnaires généraux et encyclopédies
  • Bibliothéconomie
  • Internet et télématique

Spanish

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Record 4 2012-03-13

English

Subject field(s)
  • Computers and Calculators
  • Publication and Bookselling
DEF

A small [portable] electronic device with a screen which allows [a person] to read an electronic book, perform searches, add notes, etc.

OBS

e-book; electronic book : elliptical synonyms of "e-book reader. "These terms are polysemous in the same subject field. They can refer to two different concepts : the electronic version of a printed book or the device for reading an electronic book.

Key term(s)
  • ebook reader
  • ereader
  • ebook

French

Domaine(s)
  • Ordinateurs et calculateurs
  • Édition et librairie
DEF

Petit appareil de lecture portatif permettant à une personne de lire des livres numériques, ajouter des notes, faire des recherches, etc.

OBS

livrel : terme polysémique qui peut désigner deux concepts différents, soit la version électronique d’un livre imprimé (le fichier) ou le support de lecture de livres numériques (l’appareil).

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Computadoras y calculadoras
  • Edición y venta de libros
DEF

Dispositivo portátil de pequeñas dimensiones que posee una gran pantalla de cristal líquido [...] que permite almacenar en él libros en formato electrónico y presentarlos en pantalla para leerlos.

CONT

Las bibliotecas de la Universidad de Salamanca ponen a la disposición de sus usuarios lectores de libros electrónicos, con los que puedes leer en pantalla textos en formatos digitales.

CONT

Este servicio de suscripción a libros electrónicos es una de las características que a medio plazo estará disponible en el lector de libros electrónicos lanzado por Telefónica en España […]

OBS

libro electrónico: En el uso, designa tanto al libro propiamente dicho en versión digital como al dispositivo electrónico que se usa para leerlo.

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Record 5 2012-03-13

English

Subject field(s)
  • Publication and Bookselling
  • Information Technology (Informatics)
DEF

[A book] published for reading on personal computers, smart phones, or dedicated equipment [such as] e-book readers.

CONT

... one reads an electronic book by moving from page to page using point and click actions with a mouse. And, importantly, the order in which one reads an electronic book is up to the reader.

OBS

e-book; electronic book : These terms are polysemous in the same subject field. They can refer to two different concepts : the electronic version of a printed book or the device for reading an electronic book.

Key term(s)
  • ebook

French

Domaine(s)
  • Édition et librairie
  • Technologie de l'information (Informatique)
DEF

Version numérisée d’un livre lisible sur tout appareil permettant sa lecture, que celui-ci soit un ordinateur [...], une tablette de lecture [...] ou un téléphone portable.

OBS

livrel : terme polysémique qui peut désigner deux concepts différents, soit la version électronique d’un livre imprimé (le fichier) ou le support de lecture de livres numériques (l’appareil).

OBS

e-livre : calque de l'anglais.

Key term(s)
  • elivre

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Edición y venta de libros
  • Tecnología de la información (Informática)
CONT

Un libro electrónico es una publicación digitalizada que ha sido confeccionada para ser comercializada en Internet. Por tanto su tamaño, estructura y diseño han debido de ser tratados correctamente para que su descarga, visualización y utilización sean los adecuados.

CONT

Un libro digital es una publicación electrónica en la red. Su diseño permite que se pueda acceder a él mediante una computadora tanto online como offline. Un libro digital puede ser almacenado, leído y comprado desde la red y su computadora. Su gran ventaja frente a libros editados de forma convencional es su bajo costo y el no poseer fronteras en cuanto a comercialización. Puede adquirirlo una persona desde México hasta España al mismo costo de producción.

OBS

libro electrónico: En el uso, designa tanto al libro propiamente dicho en versión digital como al dispositivo electrónico que se usa para leerlo.

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Record 6 2012-01-17

English

Subject field(s)
  • Human Behaviour
DEF

The state of limiting, moderating, restricting or keeping under control the following elements: emotions, anger, spending, vices, etc.

OBS

Caution :"restraint" and "constraint" are only synonyms if they are used figuratively to denote the means of preventing one from doing something, such as in the expressions "social constraints" or "social restraints". In other instances, because of the quirks of usage, they cannot be used interchangeably. "Restraint", in particular, is a highly polysemous term. It can denote a device that restricts movement(=restraining device) ;it can denote the control over one's expression, emotions or urges, i. e. moderation(DE : Mäßigung) in addition to the figurative definition already cited above. "Constraint" is strictly an abstract term and can have the same figurative meaning as "restraint" cited above or it can have the slightly stronger meaning of repressing(and not simply controlling) one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

PHR

Lack of restraint.

PHR

Non-restraint.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Comportement humain
DEF

Attitude d'une personne qui sait se modérer, qui garde une prudente réserve.

PHR

Sans aucune retenue.

PHR

Manquer de retenue. Rire sans retenue. Rire sans aucune retenue.

Spanish

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Record 7 2012-01-16

English

Subject field(s)
  • Medical Instruments and Devices
  • Clinical Psychology
DEF

A device used to restrict movement or to confine a person, whether he or she is violently psychotic or irrational.

OBS

"Restraint" and "constraint" are quasi-synonyms. Because of usage they cannot be used interchangeably. "Restraint", in particular, is a polysemous term. It can denote a device that restricts movement; it can denote the control over one's expression or emotions or it can denote the series of actions taken to immobilize someone or something. "Constraint", on the other hand, is simply the state of being restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action or it can be the repression(and not simply control) of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

CONT

... intermediate psychiatric cases: Patients requiring made-up litter, sedation or other medication and not normally requiring the use of restraining apparatus.

PHR

Full body restraint.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Instruments et appareillages médicaux
  • Psychologie clinique
OBS

contention : immobilisation (de malades mentaux) par divers moyens (camisole, ceinture, etc.). Nota : le terme «contention» tout seul désigne l'action de maintenir en place, et non l'instrument destiné à cette fin.

Spanish

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Record 8 2012-01-16

English

Subject field(s)
  • Social Psychology
DEF

A restrictive condition, force or influence.

OBS

Caution :"restraint" and "constraint" are only synonyms if they are used figuratively to denote the means of preventing one from doing something, such as in the expressions "social constraints" or "social restraints". In other instances, because of the quirks of usage, they cannot be used interchangeably. "Restraint", in particular, is a highly polysemous term. It can denote a device that restricts movement(=restraining device) ;it can denote the control over one's expression, emotions or urges, i. e. moderation(DE : Mäßigung) in addition to the figurative definition already cited in this observation. "Constraint" is strictly an abstract term and can have the same figurative meaning as "restraint" cited above or it can have the slightly stronger meaning of repressing(and not simply controlling) one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

CONT

[Deindividuation is] the process whereby social restraints are weakened, and impulsive and aggressive tendencies released ....

CONT

... conflict between what a counselor wants or needs to do in order to help the client and what he or she is limited to do by external constraints.

PHR

Legal, social constraints.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Psychologie sociale
DEF

Règle obligatoire.

OBS

Mise en garde : le terme «contrainte» a une plus grande portée sémantique que sa contrepartie anglaise «constraint». Le terme français peut revêtir un sens tant abstrait que concret, ce qui n'est pas possible en anglais (abstrait seulement).

PHR

Contrainte double, morale, sociale. Les contraintes de la vie familiale.

PHR

Agir sous la contrainte. Être soumis à des contraintes.

Spanish

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Record 9 2012-01-16

English

Subject field(s)
  • Human Behaviour
  • Clinical Psychology
DEF

Repression of one’s own feelings, behavior, or actions.

OBS

Caution :"restraint" and "constraint" are only synonyms if they are used figuratively to denote the means of preventing one from doing something, such as in the expressions "social constraints" or "social restraints". In other instances, because of the quirks of usage, they cannot be used interchangeably. "Restraint", in particular, is a highly polysemous term. It can denote a device that restricts movement(=restraining device) ;it can denote the control over one's expression, emotions or urges, i. e. moderation(DE : Mäßigung) in addition to the figurative definition already cited above in this observation. "Constraint" is strictly an abstract term and can have the same figurative meaning as "restraint" cited above or it can have the slightly stronger meaning of repressing(and not simply controlling) one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

CONT

[Creativity is] the ability to originate something new and appropriate by transcending common thought constraints.

PHR

Biomechanical constraint. End-state stability constraint.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Comportement humain
  • Psychologie clinique
DEF

Le fait de se contraindre, de se retenir ou de se forcer à agir contre sa volonté.

PHR

Contrainte biomécanique, double.

Spanish

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Record 10 2012-01-16

English

Subject field(s)
  • Human Behaviour
  • Clinical Psychology
DEF

The act of forcing by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation.

OBS

Caution :"restraint" and "constraint" are only synonyms if they are used figuratively to denote the means of preventing one from doing something, such as in the expressions "social constraints" or "social restraints". In other instances, because of the quirks of usage, they cannot be used interchangeably. "Restraint", in particular, is a highly polysemous term. It can denote a device that restricts movement(=restraining device) ;it can denote the control over one's expression, emotions or urges, i. e. moderation(DE : Mäßigung) in addition to the figurative definition already cited in this observation. "Constraint" is strictly an abstract term and can have the same figurative meaning as "restraint" cited above or it can have the slightly stronger meaning of repressing(and not simply controlling) one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Comportement humain
  • Psychologie clinique
DEF

Ensemble de toutes les attitudes, de toutes les méthodes et techniques par lesquelles on impose à un malade, contre sa liberté et sa volonté, une hospitalisation, un traitement, une alimentation, une limitation de son activité.

PHR

User de contrainte contre quelqu'un/à l'égard de quelqu'un. User de contrainte pour forcer quelqu'un à faire quelque chose. Empêcher quelqu'un d'agir par la contrainte.

Spanish

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Record 11 2012-01-11

English

Subject field(s)
  • Racquet Sports
DEF

Series of strings on which the ball must make contact during a tennis match.

OBS

The Spanish term "cordaje" and the French cognate "cordage" are both collective nouns that denote the set of strings that make up the "stringbed". Another appropriate English equivalent would be "racquet strings"-in the plural. In comparison, the singular term "cuerda" denotes the thin material we call "string" in English. When used in the plural, "cuerdas" and "cordes" are synonomous with "cordaje" and "cordage" respectively. Another point to watch out for : the Spanish term "cordaje" is polysemous. It can denote the process of putting strings on a tennis racquet(=stringing) or it can denote the end product, i. e. the set of strings found on a tennis racquet. Various types of strings used today : multilfilament, multicore(with or without wraps), solid core, textured, unique, construction, hybrid.

OBS

In this case, "stringing" means the set of strings rather than the stringing process.

OBS

string: badminton term.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sports de raquette
DEF

Ensemble des cordes tendues et entrelacées sur le cadre de la raquette et qui assurent le contact direct avec la balle; par extension, partie de la raquette constituée par cet ensemble.

OBS

«Cordage», terme polysémique, même dans le monde du tennis. Ne pas le confondre avec «corde» (=string, au singulier), question linguistique de partie-tout.

CONT

Fléchir les genoux pour amortir encore davantage la balle. [...] Essayer de la garder une fraction de seconde au contact du cordage, pour la «porter» par-dessus le filet.

OBS

cordage : terme employé aussi au badminton.

PHR

Tension du cordage.

PHR

Présenter le cordage.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Deportes de raqueta
DEF

Conjunto de cuerdas de una raqueta de tenis.

Save record 11

Record 12 2012-01-10

English

Subject field(s)
  • Racquet Sports
DEF

Leather-like wrapping around the handle of the racket, frequently changed by the top players to adjust the feel and wear.

CONT

Grip coverings can be fitted to provide more "feel". Tightly wind the grip covering diagonally up the handle from the butt end. Secure it by overlapping the first wrap and taping it down at the end.

OBS

A "grip" can be wrapped around the "shaft" of the racquet. To avoid confusion(the term "grip" alone could refer to a certain way of grasping the racquet), use one of the following terms :"overgrip", "replacement grip" or "grip covering". Note that for marketing purposes, competing manufacturers will make a distinction between the 3 terms. Indeed some tennis purists would rather use the term "overgrip" for the material that one slides over an existing and worn-out covering and the term "replacement grip" for the material that one wraps over the shaft after removing the worn-out one. If in doubt, use the more generic term "grip covering" which can apply to either of these two types. Nonetheless the average tennis player will likely use the abbreviated term "grip" even though it is both ambiguous and polysemous since the context will normally provide ample clarification.

CONT

... features Head’s Ultrazorb in the handle to dampen vibration and a new contoured grip for [a] more secure feel.

PHR

Australian, cushion, replacement, tacky grip covering.

PHR

Grip covering delivers unparalleled comfort.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sports de raquette
DEF

Matière, en général du cuir qui entoure le manche d'une raquette de tennis.

CONT

Les poignées de raquettes sont habituellement en cuir [...] La poignée se compose de 8 faces incluant le dessus et le dessous, les méplats et les chanfreins [...] En général, la grosseur des poignées varie entre 2 et 5 (système européen) [...]

CONT

Pour mieux sentir la raquette, on peut ajouter un couvre-manche synthétique. À partir du talon, enrouler fermement le ruban en diagonale autour de la poignée tout en le faisant se chevaucher. Fixer avec l'embout.

CONT

La poignée est composée de ruban ultra adhésif de type Contour Cushion, idéal pour le confort et la performance.

CONT

Les grips en tissu adhésif ou en éponge assurent une meilleure prise.

OBS

En général, le français n'a retenu qu'un seul sens de l'anglicisme polysémique «grip». Bref, en français il veut dire cuir ou tissu-éponge qui revêt le manche de la raquette pour contrarier le glissement de la main. Un «grip» en mauvais état est souvent cause d'ampoules aux doigts et à la paume de la main. Ne pas confondre avec «poignet», bandeau que l'on porte autour du poignet pour absorber la transpiration. Dans certains textes d'expression française, on voit encore l'anglicisme «grip».

PHR

Poignée absorbante, mousse, rembourrée, SoftZorb, synthétique.

PHR

La poignée s'effiloche, perd son efficacité.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Deportes de raqueta
CONT

Los sobre-grips incrementan la «sensación de firmeza». Tense la banda, rodeando el marco a partir del extremo inferior. Asegure el cabo con una doble vuelta y fije el final con el adhesivo.

Save record 12

Record 13 2011-12-16

English

Subject field(s)
  • Racquet Sports
DEF

The act of throwing the ball up before serving it.

OBS

Caution : the term "toss", used by itself, is polysemous in the tennis world. Not to be confused with "toss", i. e. result of coach feeding the ball to a student(FR : lancer à la main).

CONT

Tossing is very important because whether you make a good or bad serve depends on how accurately you toss the ball.

CONT

The Toss. Place the ball up in front of you and a little to your right. As you release the ball, bend your racket arm and lift your racket until the tip points skywards. At the completion of the toss-up, both your arms should point upwards.

PHR

Accurate, high, low, poor ball toss.

PHR

To groove one’s toss.

PHR

Consistency in ball toss.

PHR

Style of tossing.

Key term(s)
  • toss up

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sports de raquette
OBS

Mise en garde : le terme «placement» est polysémique dans le monde du tennis.

CONT

Le lancer de balle : Il peut se faire de différentes façons et la hauteur du lancer varie pour certains joueurs.

CONT

Demandez à votre partenaire de varier ses tirs (balle courte, balle à droite, balle longue, etc.).

CONT

Plus vous accompagnerez la balle vers le haut, plus le lancer sera précis.

CONT

Placement. Placer la balle haut devant soi et légèrement sur la droite. Au moment de lâcher la balle, fléchir le bras porteur et élever la raquette jusqu'à ce que son sommet pointe vers le ciel. À la fin du placement, les deux bras devraient être braqués.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Deportes de raqueta
CONT

Lanzamiento. Lance la pelota un poco a la derecha y por delante suyo. En cuanto la haya soltado, flexione el brazo activo y eleve la raqueta hasta que apunte al cielo. La fase de lanzamiento ha de completarse con ambos brazos apuntando hacia arriba.

PHR

Lanzamiento de una pelota.

PHR

Efectuar, hacerse un lanzamiento.

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Record 14 2004-12-15

English

Subject field(s)
  • Semantics
  • Lexicology, Lexicography, Terminology
DEF

A term having two or more meanings.

OBS

For example, "book" is a polysemous term with at least two meanings : a bound volume with a size, weight, position, and so forth; an abstract entity with an author, title, and possibly many manifestations.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sémantique
  • Lexicologie, lexicographie et terminologie
DEF

Terme ayant plusieurs sens.

OBS

Le mot «pompe», par exemple, est un terme polysémique. En effet, il peut désigner un appareil (pompe à vélo) comme il peut exprimer le mot «chaussure» en argot.

Spanish

Save record 14

Record 15 2004-12-15

English

Subject field(s)
  • Semantics
DEF

Said of a word or phrase which has two or more meanings.

OBS

The term is sometimes restricted to cases where the term or phrase has two or more etymologically or logically related meanings.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sémantique
CONT

On appelle «polysémie» la propriété d'un signe linguistique qui a plusieurs sens. L'unité linguistique est alors dite «polysémique». Le concept de polysémie s'inscrit dans un double système d'oppositions : l'opposition entre polysémie et homonymie et l'opposition entre polysémie et monosémie.

Spanish

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Record 16 2002-06-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • Racquet Sports
CONT

The ball hit the tape ... because of topspin, it rolled over the tape and fell into the opposing court.

OBS

Not to be confused with "center strap" or "netco rd". "Tape", a polysemous term even in tennis, can also denote the strip of material fixed onto a claycourt surface to mark off the lines.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sports de raquette

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Deportes de raqueta
CONT

[La red] debe haber también una franja de tela, que cubra la cuerda o cable metálico y la parte superior de la red, formando en cada lado una franja no menor de 0,05 m ni mayor de 0,063 m (2 pulgadas y 2 pulgadas y media).

CONT

Si la pelota servida toca un accesorio permanente que no sea la red, la cincha o la faja de tela, antes de botar en el suelo [...]

CONT

[La devolución es buena si] ni el jugador ni parte alguna de su indumentaria, ni su raqueta, toquen la red, los palos, la cuerda o cable metálico, la cincha, la franja de lona o la parte de la pista que corresponde a su adversario, y la pelota sea devuelta «buena».

Save record 16

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