Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having only one meaning: A word or term that is "monosemous" has a single, unambiguous meaning. It is not open to multiple interpretations and does not have different senses in different contexts.

Usage

• The term "monosemous" is primarily used in linguistics and lexicography to describe words. It is the opposite of "polysemous" (having many meanings).
• It is a formal, academic term. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but is essential for discussing word meaning.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The word "oxygen" is a good example of a monosemous term in scientific contexts.
  • Technical jargon often aims to be monosemous to avoid ambiguity in communication.
  • Unlike the polysemous word "bank," the word "biosphere" is relatively monosemous.

Advanced Usage

• "Monosemous nature": Refers to the characteristic of having a single meaning.
  • The monosemous nature of the legal term was crucial for the contract's clarity.
• "To be monosemous": The state of having one meaning.
  • For a code to be efficient, its symbols must be monosemous.

Variants and Related Words

• Monosemy (n): The state or condition of being monosemous; having a single meaning.
  • The concept of monosemy is central to the design of technical languages.

Synonyms

• Unambiguous: Not open to more than one interpretation.
• Univocal: Having only one possible meaning.

Antonyms

• Polysemous: (Of a word) having multiple meanings.
• Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation.

Adjective

1. having only one meaning