denotados

Denotados is the plural form of denotado, a term used in linguistics and philosophy of language to refer to the referents or extensions of a linguistic expression. In this context, the denotados are the objects, entities or sets of entities that a word, phrase or sentence designates.

In semantics, denotación (denotation) is distinguished from sentido (sense) and connotación. The denotados are what a term points to in the world or in a model: for example, the denotados of the proper name "Londres" is the city of London, while the denotados of the common noun "perro" are all individual dogs. A numeral like "tres" denotes the number three, which is a set-theoretic concept rather than a concrete object.

Denotados can be individuals, events, places, or abstract sets, depending on the type of expression. In formal semantics and model theory, a denotation function assigns to each expression its denotados within a given interpretation or possible world. This formal perspective helps clarify how different expressions can share or differ in reference across contexts.

The concept is central to debates about reference, indexing, and truth conditions. It also influences how languages encode information such as plurality, definiteness, and scope. Understanding denotados helps explain why substitution of synonyms may preserve or alter truth values, and why context can affect which objects an expression refers to.

See also: Denotation, Sense, Reference (linguistics), Significado, Semantics, Model theory.