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denotation

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅no⋅ta⋅tion

  [dee-noh-tey-shuhn]
Use denotation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it; the association or set of associations that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience. Compare connotation.
2. a word that names or signifies something specific: “Wind” is the denotation for air in natural motion. “Poodle” is the denotation for a certain breed of dog.
3. the act or fact of denoting; indication.
4. something that denotes; mark; symbol.
5. Logic.
a. the class of particulars to which a term is applicable.
b. that which is represented by a sign.
Origin:
1525–35; < L dēnotātiōn- (s. of dēnotātiō) a marking out, equiv. to dēnotāt(us) (ptp. of dēnotāre; see denote ) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To denotation
de·no·ta·tion   (dē'nō-tā'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act of denoting; indication.

  2. Something, such as a sign or symbol, that denotes.

  3. Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol.

  4. The most specific or direct meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

denotation [(dee-noh-tay-shuhn)]

The basic dictionary meaning of a word, without its connotations. For example, the denotation of the word modern is “belonging to recent times,” although the word may have different connotations.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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