semantics

se·man·tics   (sĭ-mān'tĭks)    n.   (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Linguistics The study or science of meaning in language. Linguistics The study of relationships between signs and symbols and what they represent. Also called semasiology. The meaning or the interpretation of a word, sentence, or other language form: We're basically agreed; let's not quibble over semantics.

semantics

The scientific or philosophical study of the relations of words and their meanings.

Note: Semantics is commonly used to refer to a trivial point or distinction that revolves around mere words rather than significant issues: “To argue whether the medication killed the patient or contributed to her death is to argue over semantics.”

Main Entry: se·man·tics
Pronunciation: si-'mant-iks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
: the study of meanings: a : the historical and psychological study and the classification of changes in the signification of words or forms viewed as factors in linguistic development b (1) : SEMIOTIC (2) : a branch of semiotic dealing with the relations between signs and what they refer to and includingtheories of denotation, extension, naming, and truth

semantics se·man·tics (sĭ-mān'tĭks)
n.

1. The study or science of meaning in language forms.

2. The study of the relationships between various signs and symbols and what they represent.

semantics theory
The meaning of a string in some language, as opposed to syntax which describes how symbols may be combined independent of their meaning.
The semantics of a programming language is a function from programs to answers. A program is a closed term and, in practical languages, an answer is a member of the syntactic category of values. The two main kinds are denotational semantics and operational semantics.
(1995-06-21)