A semantic field is defined as a group of words whose meanings are closely connected via a semantic relation. Semantic fields can individuate specific meaning domains within the lexicon of a language and the meanings belonging to each domain. For instance, the meanings of the nouns love, hate, friendship, and rivalry, among many similar others, are related to the meaning of the noun phrase human relation, which individuates the semantic field covering this type of relations. Semantic fields reflect linguistic and cultural practices that underpin the lexicon of a language and that can be affected by language disorders. This entry presents key notions of semantic field and meaning relation.

Key Notions

The relations that underpin semantic fields emerge when their constituting meanings share most of their ...

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