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Historical Semantics

Description: Historical Semantics Quiz
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: historical semantics historical linguistics language change
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Which of the following is not a major period in the history of the English language?

  1. Old English

  2. Middle English

  3. Modern English

  4. Early Modern English

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Early Modern English is not a major period in the history of the English language. It is a sub-period of Modern English.

What is the term for the process by which the meaning of a word changes over time?

  1. Semantic drift

  2. Semantic change

  3. Semantic evolution

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above terms refer to the process by which the meaning of a word changes over time.

Which of the following is an example of semantic drift?

  1. The word 'nice' originally meant 'foolish'

  2. The word 'awful' originally meant 'inspiring awe'

  3. The word 'gay' originally meant 'carefree'

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above examples are examples of semantic drift.

What is the term for the process by which a word acquires a new meaning?

  1. Semantic extension

  2. Semantic narrowing

  3. Semantic bleaching

  4. Semantic pejoration

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Semantic extension is the process by which a word acquires a new meaning.

Which of the following is an example of semantic extension?

  1. The word 'computer' originally meant 'a person who computes'

  2. The word 'table' originally meant 'a flat surface'

  3. The word 'book' originally meant 'a written work'

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above examples are examples of semantic extension.

What is the term for the process by which a word loses its original meaning?

  1. Semantic narrowing

  2. Semantic bleaching

  3. Semantic pejoration

  4. Semantic amelioration

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Semantic narrowing is the process by which a word loses its original meaning.

Which of the following is an example of semantic narrowing?

  1. The word 'meat' originally meant 'food'

  2. The word 'deer' originally meant 'animal'

  3. The word 'bird' originally meant 'flying animal'

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above examples are examples of semantic narrowing.

What is the term for the process by which a word acquires a negative connotation?

  1. Semantic pejoration

  2. Semantic amelioration

  3. Semantic bleaching

  4. Semantic extension

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Semantic pejoration is the process by which a word acquires a negative connotation.

Which of the following is an example of semantic pejoration?

  1. The word 'villain' originally meant 'peasant'

  2. The word 'knave' originally meant 'boy'

  3. The word 'slut' originally meant 'slovenly person'

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above examples are examples of semantic pejoration.

What is the term for the process by which a word acquires a positive connotation?

  1. Semantic amelioration

  2. Semantic pejoration

  3. Semantic bleaching

  4. Semantic extension

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Semantic amelioration is the process by which a word acquires a positive connotation.

Which of the following is an example of semantic amelioration?

  1. The word 'nice' originally meant 'foolish'

  2. The word 'awful' originally meant 'inspiring awe'

  3. The word 'gay' originally meant 'carefree'

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above examples are examples of semantic amelioration.

What is the term for the study of the history of word meanings?

  1. Historical semantics

  2. Historical linguistics

  3. Etymology

  4. Lexicography

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Historical semantics is the study of the history of word meanings.

What is the term for a word that has changed its meaning over time?

  1. A polyseme

  2. A homonym

  3. A synonym

  4. An antonym

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A polyseme is a word that has changed its meaning over time.

What is the term for a word that has multiple meanings?

  1. A polyseme

  2. A homonym

  3. A synonym

  4. An antonym

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A polyseme is a word that has multiple meanings.

What is the term for a word that has the same meaning as another word?

  1. A polyseme

  2. A homonym

  3. A synonym

  4. An antonym

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word.

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