Words used in a figurative sense. Summary of the lesson "direct and figurative meanings of the word"

With ambiguity, one of the meanings of the word is direct, and all the rest are figurative. The direct meaning of a word is its main lexical meaning. It is directly directed at the object (immediately causes an idea of ​​the object, phenomenon) and is least dependent on the context.

Words, denoting objects, actions, signs, quantity, most often appear in their direct meaning. The figurative meaning of a word is its secondary meaning, which arose on the basis of the direct one. For example: Toy, -i, f. 1. A thing that serves for the game. Kids toys. 2. trans. One who blindly acts according to someone else's will, an obedient instrument of someone else's will (disapproved). To be a toy in someone's hands. The essence of polysemy lies in the fact that some name of an object, phenomenon passes, is also transferred to another object, another phenomenon, and then one word is used as the name of several objects, phenomena at the same time. Depending on the basis of which sign the name is transferred, there are three main types of figurative meaning: 1) metaphor; 2) metonymy; 3) synecdoche. Metaphor (from the Greek metaphora - transfer) is the transfer of a name by similarity, for example: ripe apple- eyeball (in shape); the nose of a person is the bow of a ship (according to location); chocolate bar - chocolate tan (by color); bird wing - aircraft wing (by function); the dog howled - the wind howled (according to the nature of the sound), etc. Metonymy (then Greek metonymia - renaming) is the transfer of a name from one object to another based on their proximity *, for example: water boils - a kettle boils; porcelain dish - tasty dish; native gold - Scythian gold, etc. A variety of metonymy is synecdoche. Synecdoche (from the Greek "synekdoche - connotation) is the transfer of the name of the whole to its part and vice versa, for example: thick currant - ripe currant; a beautiful mouth is an extra mouth (about an extra person in the family); a big head - a smart head, etc. In the process of developing figurative names, a word can be enriched with new meanings as a result of narrowing or expanding the main meaning. Over time, figurative meanings can become direct. In explanatory dictionaries direct meaning words are given first, and figurative meanings go under the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5. The meaning fixed as a figurative recently comes with the mark "trans".

Words, phrases, phrases and sentences - all this and much more is embedded in the concept of "language". How much is hidden in it, and how little we really know about the language! Every day and even every minute we spend next to him - whether we say our thoughts aloud or we read or listen to the radio ... Language, our speech is a real art, and it should be beautiful. And its beauty must be genuine. What helps in the search for true beauty

direct and figurative meaning words - this is what enriches our language, develops it and transforms it. How does this happen? Let's understand this endless process, when, as they say, words grow from words.

First of all, you should understand the figurative meaning of the word, and what main types they are divided into. Each word can have one or more meanings. Words with the same meaning are called monosemantic words. In Russian, there are much fewer of them than words with many different values. Examples are words such as computer, ash, satin, sleeve. A word that can be used in several meanings, including figuratively, - polysemantic word, examples: a house can be used in the meaning of a building, a place for people to live, a family way of life, etc .; the sky is the air space above the earth, as well as the location of the visible luminaries, or divine power, conduction.

With ambiguity, a direct and figurative meaning of a word is distinguished. The first meaning of the word, its basis - this is the direct meaning of the word. By the way, the word “direct” in this context is figurative, i.e. the main meaning of the word is “something even,

without bends” - is transferred to another object or phenomenon with the meaning “literal, unambiguously expressed”. So there is no need to go far - you just need to be more attentive and observant in what words we use, when and how.

From the above example, it already becomes clear that the figurative meaning is the secondary meaning of the word that arose when the literal meaning of the word was transferred to another object. Depending on what feature of the object was the reason for the transfer of meaning, there are such types of figurative meaning as metonymy, metaphor, synecdoche.

Direct and can overlap with each other based on similarity - this is a metaphor. For example:

ice water - ice hands (by sign);

poisonous mushroom - poisonous character (by sign);

a star in the sky - a star in the hand (according to the location);

chocolate candy - chocolate tan (based on color).

Metonymy is the selection in a phenomenon or object of some property, which, by its nature, can replace the rest. For example:

gold jewelry - she has gold in her ears;

porcelain dishes - there was porcelain on the shelves;

headache - my head is gone.

And, finally, synecdoche is a type of metonymy when one word is replaced by another on the basis of a constant, really existing ratio of part to whole and vice versa. For example:

He is a real head (meaning very smart, the head is the part of the body that houses the brain).

The whole village sided with him - every resident, that is, the "village" as a whole, which replaces its part.

What can be said in conclusion? Only one thing: if you know the direct and figurative meaning of a word, you will not only be able to use certain words correctly, but also enrich your speech and learn how to convey your thoughts and feelings beautifully, and maybe one day you will come up with your own metaphor or metonymy ... Who knows?

A word can have one lexical meaning. Such words are called unambiguous, for example: dialog, purple, saber, alert, appendicitis, birch, felt-tip pen

Several types can be distinguished unambiguous words.

1. These include, first of all, proper names (Ivan, Petrov, Mytishchi, Vladivostok). Their extremely specific meaning excludes the possibility of varying the meaning, since they are the names of single objects.

2. Usually recently emerged words that have not yet become widespread are unambiguous (briefing, grapefruit, pizza, pizzeria etc.). This is explained by the fact that for the development of ambiguity in a word, its frequent use in speech is necessary, and new words cannot immediately receive universal recognition and distribution.

3. Words with a narrow subject meaning are unambiguous (binoculars, trolleybus, suitcase). Many of them denote objects of special use and therefore are rarely used in speech. (beads, turquoise). This helps to keep them unique.

4. One meaning, as a rule, highlights the terms: sore throat, gastritis, fibroids, syntax, noun.

Most Russian words have not one, but several meanings. These words are called polysemantic, they are opposed unambiguous words. The ability of words to have multiple meanings is called polysemy. For example: word root- multivalued. In the "Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language" by S. I. Ozhegov and N. Yu. Shvedova, four meanings of this word are indicated:

1. The underground part of the plant. The apple tree has taken root. 2. Inner part tooth, hair, nail. Blush down to the roots of your hair. 3. trans. Beginning, source, basis of something. The root of evil. 4. In linguistics: the main, significant part of the word. Root- significant part of the word.

The direct meaning of the word is its main meaning. For example, an adjective gold means "made of gold, composed of gold": gold coin, gold chain, gold earrings.

The figurative meaning of the word- this is its secondary, non-primary meaning, which arose on the basis of the direct one. Golden autumn, golden curls- the adjective in these phrases has a different meaning - figurative ("similar to gold in color"). Golden time, skillful fingers- in these examples, the adjective has a figurative meaning - "beautiful, happy."

The Russian language is very rich in such transfers:

wolf skin- wolfish appetite;

iron nail- iron character.

If we compare these phrases, we can see that adjectives with a figurative meaning not only tell us about some quality of a person, but evaluate it, figuratively and vividly describe: golden character, deep mind, warm heart, cold look.


The use of words in a figurative sense gives speech expressiveness, figurativeness. Poets and writers are looking for fresh, unexpected, accurate means of conveying their thoughts, feelings, emotions, moods. On the basis of the figurative meaning of words, special means artistic representation: comparison, metaphor, personification, epithet and etc.

Thus, on the basis of the figurative meaning of the word, the following are formed:

comparison(one object is compared to another). The moon is like a lantern; fog like milk;

metaphor(hidden comparison). Rowan bonfire(rowan, like a fire); the bird cherry is throwing snow(bird cherry, like snow);

personification(human properties are transferred to animals, inanimate objects). The grove answered; cranes do not regret; the forest is silent;

epithet(figurative use of adjectives). The grove is golden; birch tongue; pearl frost; dark fate.

The same words can be used in different ways in speech, receiving various meanings. stand out straight And portable word meanings. direct(or the main, main) meaning of a word is a meaning that directly correlates with the phenomena of objective reality.

Yes, the words table, the black, boil have the main meanings: 1. A piece of furniture in the form horizontal board on high supports, legs; 2. Color of soot, coal; 3. Boil, bubbling, evaporating from high heat(about liquids). These values ​​are stable, although they may change historically. For example, the word table in the Old Russian language it meant "throne", "reigning".

The direct meanings of words less than all others depend on the context, on the nature of the connections with other words.

Portable(indirect) meanings of words - such meanings that arise as a result of the conscious transfer of a name from one phenomenon of reality to another based on the similarity, commonality of their features, functions, etc.

Yes, the word table used in several figurative meanings: 1. Subject special equipment or part of a cold-formed machine ( operating table, raise the machine table); 2. Nutrition, food ( rent a room with a table); 3. A department in an institution in charge of a special range of affairs ( information desk).

Word the black has such figurative meanings: 1. Dark, as opposed to something lighter, called white ( black bread); 2. Having taken on a dark color, darkened ( black from sunburn); 3. In the old days: chicken ( black hut); 4. Gloomy, bleak, heavy ( black thoughts); 5. Criminal, malicious ( black betrayal); 6. Not the main, auxiliary ( back door in the house); 7. Physically difficult and unskilled ( dirty work).

Word boil has the following metaphors:

1. Manifest to a strong degree ( work is in full swing); 2. To manifest something with force, to a strong degree ( boil with indignation); 3. Randomly move ( river boiled with fish).

As you can see, when transferring the meaning, words are used to name phenomena that do not serve as a constant, ordinary object of designation, but come close to another concept through various associations that are obvious to speakers.



Portable meanings can preserve figurativeness ( black thoughts, black betrayal). However, these figurative meanings are fixed in the language; they are given in dictionaries when interpreting words. In this figurative-figurative meanings differ from the metaphors that are created by writers.

In most cases, when transferring meanings, imagery is lost. For example: pipe elbow, teapot spout, carrot tail, clock movement. In such cases, one speaks of extinct figurativeness in the lexical meaning of the word.

The transfer of names occurs on the basis of the similarity in something of objects, signs, actions. The figurative meaning of a word can be assigned to an object (sign, action) and become its direct meaning: teapot spout, door handle, table leg, book spine, etc.

The value transfer process goes like this : baby's foot(direct) - table leg(portable) - table leg(direct).

The primary, direct meaning can sometimes be restored only by studying the history of the word.

Let's summarize the above material in the table:

Portable Value Types

Depending on which sign the meaning is transferred from one object to another, the following types of figurative meanings of the word are distinguished.

1) Transferring values ​​for some similarity between objects and events. Such transfers are called metaphorical. Metaphor(from the Greek Metaphora - transfer) is the transfer of a name from one object, action, property, phenomenon to other actions, properties, phenomena based on the similarity of their features (for example, shape, color, function, location and etc.). Examples of metaphorical meanings:
a) onion head, eyeball - transfer based on the similarity of the shape of objects;
b) the bow of the boat, the tail of the train, the head of the nail - transfer based on the similarity of the arrangement of objects;
c) janitor (in the meaning of "a cleaning device on the glass of a car"), electrical position, watchman (in the meaning of "a device on a dish to hold boiling milk") - transfer based on the similarity of the functions of objects.

For many metaphorical figurative meanings of the word, it is characteristic anthropomorphism, that is, the likening of the properties of the surrounding physical world to the properties of a person. Compare such examples: an evil wind, indifferent nature, the breath of spring, “The River Plays” (the title of the story by V.G. Korolenko), the stream runs, the volcano woke up, etc.

On the other hand, some properties and phenomena of inanimate matter are transferred to the human world, for example: a cold look, an iron will, a heart of stone, a golden character, a shock of hair, a ball of thoughts, etc. There are metaphors general language when one or another metaphorical meaning of a word is used widely, as a result of which it is known to all speakers of given language(nail head, river arm, black envy, iron will), and individual, created by a writer or poet, characterizing his stylistic manner and not becoming common. Compare, for example, metaphors:
S.A. Yesenin: red mountain ash bonfire, birch tongue of the grove, chintz of the sky, grains of eyes, etc.;
B.L. Pasternak: the labyrinth of the lyre, the bloody tears of September, the rolls of lanterns and the donuts of the roofs, etc.

2) Transferring the name from one subject to another based on adjacency these items. This transfer of values ​​is called metonymy(from Greek Metonymia - renaming). Metonymic transfers of meaning are often formed according to certain regular types:
a) material - a product from this material. For example, the words gold, crystal can denote products made from these materials (she has gold in her ears; there is solid crystal on the shelves);
b) a vessel - the contents of the vessel (I ate two plates, drank a cup);
c) the author - the works of this author (I read Pushkin, I know Nerkasov by heart);
d) action - the object of action (actions aimed at publishing a book, illustrated edition of a book as an object);
e) action - the result of an action (construction of a monument - a monumental structure);
f) action - a means or instrument of action (putty of cracks - fresh putty, gear attachment - ski mount, motion transmission - bicycle gear);
g) action - place of action (exit from the house - stand at the exit, traffic stop - bus stop);
h) animal - animal fur or meat (the hunter caught a fox - what kind of fur, arctic fox or fox?).

One of the peculiar types of metonymy is synecdoche. Synecdoche(from the Greek. Sinekdoche - ratio) - the ability of a word to name both a part of something and a whole. For example, the words face, mouth, head, hand denote the corresponding parts of the human body. But each of them can be used to name a person: unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter; in family five mouths; Kolya- light head.

Some characteristics human - beard, glasses, clothing and others are often used to refer to a person. For example:
- Hey, beard, where are you going?
- I'm standing behind the blue cloak...
- It's true that it's expensive, - red pantaloons sigh (Ch.)

Figurative sense

Terminological dictionary-thesaurus on literary criticism. From allegory to iambic. - M.: Flinta, Nauka. N.Yu. Rusova. 2004

See what "figurative meaning" is in other dictionaries:

    MEANING- MEANING, meaning, husband. 1. Internal, logical content (words, speeches, phenomena), comprehended by the mind, meaning. The direct meaning of the word. The figurative meaning of the word. Get into the meaning of events. The meaning of the law is quite clear. Give something some... Dictionary Ushakov

    The meaning that a word or phrase receives in a particular speech situation. The broadly holistic content of any statement, not reducible to the meanings of its constituent parts and elements, but itself determining these meanings ... ... Terminological dictionary-thesaurus on literary criticism

    portable- I portable / portable portable / th and portable / portable (device for carrying) II portable / portable (not literal). Figurative sense … orthographic dictionary Russian language

    meaning- Literal, important, great, inner, sublime, second, high, supreme, main, deep, deep, formidable, sad, double, real, single, pitiful, lively, vital, veiled, disguised, alluring, ... ... Dictionary of epithets

    meaning- a (y); m. 1. General logical content, irreducible to the values ​​of its constituent parts; the main idea, the essence, the essence of what l. C. article. C. events. S. words. S. speeches is clear. Direct and portable with. Understand with. what l. Explain with. what l... encyclopedic Dictionary

    meaning of direct- Same as direct meaning. Meaning is portable. Same as figurative... Dictionary of linguistic terms

    meaning- a (y); m. see also. in the sense, in the sense that, semantic 1) General logical content, irreducible to the meanings of its constituent parts; the main idea, the essence, the essence of what l. Sm/sl article. Sm/sl events… Dictionary of many expressions

    inner meaning of speech- (innocent) hidden, portable, allegorical ... Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary

    The inner meaning of speech- The inner meaning of speech (inosk.) Hidden, figurative, allegorical ... Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

    BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS- a branch of church biblical studies that studies the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Holy. The Scriptures of the OT and NT and the historical process of the formation of its theological foundations. G. b. sometimes perceived as the methodological basis of exegesis. Greek word ἡ… … Orthodox Encyclopedia

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