polysemy

[ pol-ee-see-mee, puh-lis-uh-mee ]
/ ˈpɒl iˌsi mi, pəˈlɪs ə mi /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR polysemy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a condition in which a single word, phrase, or concept has more than one meaning or connotation.

Origin of polysemy

1895–1900; < New Latin polysēmia, equivalent to Late Latin polysēm(us) with many significations (< Greek polýsēmos, equivalent to poly- poly- + sêm(a) sign + -os adj. suffix) + -ia -y3

OTHER WORDS FROM polysemy

pol·y·se·mous, adjective

Words nearby polysemy

polyradiculoneuropathy, polyrhythm, polyrhythmic, polyribosome, polysaccharide, polysemy, polysepalous, polyserositis, polysinusitis, polysome, polysomia

Words related to polysemy

vagueness, doubt, uncertainty, equivocation, obscurity, puzzle, doubtfulness, dubiousness, tergiversation, indefiniteness, enigma, anagram, dubiety, incertitude, equivocality, double-entendre, equivocacy

British Dictionary definitions for polysemy

polysemy
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈsiːmɪ, pəˈlɪsəmɪ) /

noun

the existence of several meanings in a single word Compare monosemy

Derived forms of polysemy

polysemous, adjective

Word Origin for polysemy

C20: from New Latin polysēmia, from Greek polusēmos having many meanings, from poly- + sēma a sign