Polysemy
Derivative logical meanings have a peculiar property, viz. they always retain some semantic ties with the primary meaning and are strongly associated with it. Most of the derivative logical meanings, when fixed in dictionaries, are usually shown with the words they are connected with and are therefore frequently referred to as bound logical meanings. The primary and derivative meanings are sometimes called free and bound meanings respectively, though some of the derivative meanings are not bound in present-day English.
Polysemy is a generic term the use of which must be confined to lexicology as an aspect of the science of language. In actual speech polysemy vanishes unless it is deliberately retained for certain stylistic purposes. A context that does not seek to produce any particular stylistic effect generally materializes one definite meaning. That is why we state that polysemy vanishes in speech, or language -in -action.
Let us analyse the following examples where the key-words are, intentionally made to reveal two or more meanings:
"Then hate me if thou wilt, if ever now." (Shakespeare)
The verb 'hate' here materializes several' meanings. This becomes apparent when one reads sonnet 90 to the end and compares the meaning of this word with other verbs used synonymously. The principal meanings of this word are: 'dislike', 'stop loving', 'become indifferent to', 'feel aversion for', etc.
Another example:
"Massachusetts was hostile to the American flag, and she would not allow it to be hoisted on her State House."
The word 'flag' is used in its primary meaning when it appears in combination with the verb 'to hoist' and in its derivative (or contextual) meaning in the combination 'was hostile to.'
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