semantics

Plural: semantics

Noun

• the study of language meaning
• the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text
  • "a petty argument about semantics"
• A branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words.
• The study of the relationship between words and their meanings.
• The meaning or set of meanings of a linguistic element, such as a word, morpheme or utterance.
• The meaning or set of meanings of a linguistic element, such as a word, morpheme or utterance.
• The meanings of individual words, as opposed to the overall meaning of a passage.
• The meaning of computer language constructs, in contrast to their form or syntax.
• Pettiness or triviality.

Examples

• file sharing and locking semantics
• In very ancient or poorly documented languages, the precise semantics of words tend to be uncertain.
• Semantics is a foundation of lexicography.
• The semantics of the terms used are debatable.
• Who cares? This is all just semantics!

Related Words

semantic, semantisation, semasiology, sematic, sematology, seme, sememe, semiotic, semiotics