HYPONYM Meaning and
Definition
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A hyponym is a linguistic term that refers to a word or phrase that represents one specific subordinate member of a broader category or class. In simpler terms, it can be understood as a word that is more specialized or specific in meaning than another word. It is a relationship that exists between two or more words where one word denotes a subset or a specific type of the other.
For example, "apple" is a hyponym of the word "fruit" because it represents a specific type of fruit. "Chair" is a hyponym of the word "furniture" because it is a type of furniture. In these examples, "fruit" and "furniture" are called hypernyms, which are the superordinate or more general terms covering a broader category that includes the hyponyms.
Hyponyms are often used to convey more specific information and to describe something in greater detail. They help to categorize and classify the different parts or types within a group. The relationship between a hypernym and its hyponyms is often hierarchical, with various levels of specificity. In a dictionary, hyponyms are often presented together to give a comprehensive understanding of the different subcategories or types included within a particular word or concept.
Common Misspellings for HYPONYM
Etymology of HYPONYM
The word "hyponym" is derived from a combination of two Greek words: "hypo" meaning "under" or "below", and "onoma" meaning "name" or "noun". In linguistic terminology, a hyponym is a word whose meaning is contained within the meaning of another word known as its hypernym. The term was first introduced in the field of linguistics by British philosopher John Stuart Mill in the mid-19th century, and it has been widely adopted since then.
Similar spelling words for HYPONYM
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