英语词汇学第七章

第七章

词汇：

modes n. 模式

elevation 提高

shrinking v. 萎缩

amelioration n. 改进

humble adj. 谦逊的；简陋的；（级别或地位）低下的；不大的

pejoration n. 恶化；堕落；语义的转贬

derogatory adj. 贬损的

Analogy 比拟

要点：

一.Vocabulary is the most unstable element of a language as it is

under-going constant changes both in form and content.

The content is even more unstable than the forms.

Word-meaning changes by modes is

extension, narrowing, degradation, elevation and transfer. of these, extension

and narrowing are by far the most common.

二.

1.Extension (generalization)--is a term referring to the widening of meaning. It is a process by which a word,

which originally had a specialized meaning, has now become generalized.

(Word old meaning now meaning Manuscript handwriting :any author‘s writing whether written by hand or

typed with a type-writer or a word-processor

Fabulous resembling:a fable incredible, marvelous

Barn :a place for storing only barley storeroom

Picture painting include "drawings" and even "photographs".

Mill place for grinding into flour place where things are made

Journal daily paper periodical

Butcher one who kills goats one who kills animals

Companion one who shares bread a company·

. A large proportion of polysemic words of modern English have their meanings extended

sometimes in the course of development. Some words are generalized to such an extent

that they can mean almost anything.

Word old meaning now meaning

Thing a public assembly or a council anything

Business, concern, condition, matter, article, circumstance ·

.Technical terms

Word old meaning now meaning

Alibi (a legal term) plea that the accused is not at the place excuse

When the crime is committed

Allergic (a medical term) too sensitive to medicine averse or disinclined to

Feedback (computer term) response ·

.From proper nouns

Word old meaning now meaning Lynch the Lynch‘s Law kill without lawful trial

Sandwish a gambler‘s name to denote a kind of fast place or squeeze between

Food Vandal a member of an East Germanic tribe malicious destruction of a thing

A person of such behaviour

V. vandalize Adj. Vandalic/vandalistic n. vandalization/vandalism

2. Narrowing (specialization) --is a term referring to the shrinking of meaning. It is a process by which a word of

wide meaning acquires a narrower or specialized sense.

Word old meaning now meaning

Deer animal Corn grain maize Garage any safe place a place for storing cars

Liquor liquid alcoholic drink

Disease discomfort illness

Poison drink poisonous drink

Wife woman a married woman

Accident event unfortunate event

Girl young person of either sex female young person

.Turn into a proper nouns

The City business center of London

The Peninsula Iberian Peninsula

The Prophet Mohammed

.For economy, some phrases are shortened and only one element of the original is left to retain the meaning of the whole.

e.g. a private = a private solider

a general = a general officer

an editorial = an editorial article

.Material nouns

Word old meaning now meaning

Silver silver dollars

Glass cup-like container or mirror

Iron device for smoothing clothes

3.Elevation or amelioration--refers to the process by which words rise from humble beginnings to positions of

importance.

Word old meaning now meaning

Nice ignorant --- foolish delightful, pleasant

Marshal / constable keeper of horses high-ranking army officer / policemen

Angle messenger messenger of God

Knight servant rank below baronet

Earl men count

Governor pilot head of a state

Fond foolish affectionate

Minister servant head of ministry

Shrewd evil, wickedness smart

Nimble be good at taking things without permission smart

Chamberlain servant high official of royal courts Success result

4. Degradation or pejoration of meaning --It is a process whereby words of good origin

fall into ill reputation or

non-affective words come to be used in derogatory sense.

Word old meaning now meaning

Boor peasant rude, ill-mannered person

Churl peasant / free man uncultivated or mean person

Wench country girl prostitute

Hussy housewife woman of low morals

Villain person who worked in a villa evil or wicked person or scoundrel

Silly happy foolish

Knave boy dishonest person

Lewd ignorant lecherous

Criticize appraise find fault with

Lust pleasure sexual desire