polüseeme

Polüseeme, also known as polysemy, is a linguistic phenomenon where a single word has multiple related meanings. This can occur at various levels, such as within a single language or across different languages. Polysemy is distinct from homonymy, where words have unrelated meanings, and homography, where words have the same spelling but different pronunciations and meanings.

Polysemy can be categorized into different types based on the relationship between the meanings. Synonymic polysemy occurs when the meanings are interchangeable, such as "bank" referring to a financial institution or the side of a river. Antonymic polysemy happens when the meanings are opposites, like "fast" describing speed or being tight. Gradable polysemy involves a range of meanings, such as "big" describing size or importance.

Polysemy is a common feature in natural languages and is often used to convey nuance and precision in communication. It can also lead to ambiguity and misunderstanding, as the intended meaning of a word may not be clear to the listener or reader. Linguists study polysemy to better understand how languages evolve and how meaning is conveyed through words.