文档介绍：Unit 12
Extension of Meaning
1
of meaning
of meaning
of meaning
of meaning
2
Extension of Meaning
It is also called widening of
meaning or generalization. It’s a
process by which a word which
originally had a specialized meaning
has now e generalized.
Four kinds of extension
A. From specific to general
B. From proper nouns mon
nouns
concrete to abstract
technical terms to general
words
A. From specific to general
Example
Picture: originally: a painting
or drawing
The present meaning
a photograph
a cinematic picture
an x-ray picture
a TV picture
a radio-telescope picture
any picture
More Examples
rubbish
Originally:
rubble
(碎石)
Now:
anything
worthless
B. From proper nouns mon nouns
antonomasia
the use of a proper noun
to convey a general idea
Example
Sandwich: It now denotes a popular fast food. It
originates from John Montague, Fourth earl of
Sandwich in 18th -century England. He was so
fond of gambling that he often forgot his meals.
He often ordered slices of bread with thick pieces
of roast beef stuffed between them be brought to
him so he could eat while playing. Later, people
used his name to refer to all similar food.
Greek Myth: a king punished for his
misdeeds by having to stand in water
that recedes when he tries to drink it
and under fruit that moves away
as he reaches for it.
Tantalus
Tantalize