semantics
UK: sɪˈmæntɪks | US: sɪˈmæntɪks
n. the study of meaning in language, especially word meanings and their changes
n. (in logic/computing) the interpretation of symbols or structures
semant<meaning> + ics<study of>
- semant: From Greek sēmantikos ("significant"), derived from sēma ("sign, mark").
- ics: Suffix denoting a field of study (e.g., "physics," "linguistics"), from Greek -ikos.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Greek sēma (sign), reflecting how meaning is encoded in signs or symbols. The suffix -ics frames it as a systematic discipline, aligning with other sciences. Over time, "semantics" narrowed from general "significance" to focus on linguistic/logical meaning.
Semantics explores how words acquire meaning.
The debate over the term’s usage is purely semantic.
Programming languages require precise semantics.
Historical semantics tracks shifts in word meanings.
The lawyer argued about the semantics of the contract clause.