denotation
/ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdē-nō-ˈtā-shən/ (ame, mw)
denotation — 名詞
- denotationsingular
- denotationsplural
1. the direct, basic meaning that a word or phrase has, apart from any extra feelin
字面義；本義
詞語最直接的基本意思
the direct, basic meaning that a word or phrase has, apart from any extra feelings or associations it may bring to mind
In class, Hiro said the denotation of "snake" is simply a long reptile.
在課堂上，Hiro 說「snake」的字面義就是一種細長的爬蟲類。
the denotation of + word
Ada looked up the denotation of "frugal" before reading the novel.
Ada 在讀那本小說前，先查了「frugal」的本義。
look up the denotation of a word
The warning label uses plain words so the denotation stays clear.
那張警告標籤使用直白的字詞，好讓字面義保持清楚。
Felipe confused the denotation of "cheap" with its negative connotation.
Felipe 把「cheap」的本義和它負面的聯想意義混為一談。
When children learn new words, teachers usually start with the denotation first.
孩子學新單字時，老師通常會先從字面義開始教。
- literal meaning
the closest everyday phrase for a word's direct sense
- dictionary meaning
stresses the meaning you would expect to find in a dictionary entry
- definition
broader; can include an explanation, not only the core semantic value
- connotation
the emotional or cultural associations that go beyond the direct meaning
文法句型
the denotation of a word
literal denotation
用法筆記
Often discussed alongside connotation. This sense names the core dictionary meaning, while sense 2 is about the thing or idea a word points to in formal analysis.
常見錯誤
2. the relation in which a word or phrase points to a particular thing or idea, or
指稱；所指
詞語指向某事物的關係或對象
the relation in which a word or phrase points to a particular thing or idea, or the thing it points to in technical discussion
In Mina's report, the denotation of "the capital" was Seoul, not Tokyo.
在 Mina 的報告裡，「the capital」的所指是 Seoul，不是 Tokyo。
the denotation of + phrase is a specific referent
In the map key, the denotation of the blue line is the river itself.
在地圖圖例裡，那條藍線的指稱就是那條河本身。
symbol or phrase points to an actual object
During the seminar, Zayd described denotation as the link between words and things.
在研討會中，Zayd 把 denotation 描述成詞語和事物之間的連結。
The judge said the contract's denotation must fit the exact item named.
法官說，合約中的指稱必須對應到被明確寫出的那件物品。
- reference
the broadest term for the act or relation of pointing to something
- designation
formal and often used when a word is used as a label for something
- referent
names the object itself rather than the relation
文法句型
the denotation of a phrase is something
denotation between words and things
用法筆記
Common in semantics, logic, and legal analysis. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on reference to a thing or idea, not the core dictionary meaning alone.