enantiosemy

Enantiosemy is a linguistic phenomenon where a single word possesses two meanings that are direct opposites. This duality arises from the word's history, often stemming from a single root that developed contradictory senses over time. One meaning typically signifies "to do" or "to cause" something, while the other signifies "to undo" or "to cease" doing it.

A classic example in English is the word "cleave." It can mean to cling to or adhere to something, as in "cleave to your principles." Conversely, it can also mean to split apart or divide, as in "cleave the wood." Another common example is "dust," which can mean to remove dust or, conversely, to add dust or powder, as in "dust the cake with sugar."

The context in which the word is used is crucial for understanding its intended meaning. Without sufficient context, enantiosemous words can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation. While not extremely common, enantiosemy presents an interesting aspect of semantic change and the evolution of language. Linguists study such phenomena to understand how words acquire multiple, often opposing, meanings.