signficati

Significati is the plural form of significato in Italian and refers to meanings or senses associated with words, signs, actions, or phenomena. The term derives from significare, which comes from Latin significatus, meaning to indicate or to mean. In everyday use, significati express the various semantic contents that a term or sign can convey.

In linguistics and semiotics, significati describe how expressions carry meaning. A single word may have multiple significati (polysemy) or different meanings in different languages or contexts (cognates and semantic shifts). The study of significati distinguishes between sense (the internal content of a word) and reference (the real-world entity it points to). Signs in semiotics encode significati within cultural systems, and meanings can change over time and across communities.

Practically, dictionaries compile significati to guide interpretation. Context often resolves ambiguity among multiple significati, helping speakers choose the appropriate sense. Polysemy is common, while homonymy occurs when words share form but have unrelated significati. In communication, awareness of significati supports precise interpretation, translation, and analysis of texts, symbols, and actions.

Examples of significati include the Italian word piano, which can signify a musical instrument, a floor or level, or the adverb meaning softly or slowly. The word segno carries significati such as a sign, mark, or indicator. Overall, the concept of significati underpins the understanding of how language and signs convey meaning in diverse domains.