semantics

[si-man-tiks] /sɪˈmæn tɪks/
noun, (used with a singular verb)
1.
Linguistics.
  1. the study of meaning.
  2. the study of linguistic development by classifying and examining changes in meaning and form.
2.
Also called significs. the branch of semiotics dealing with the relations between signs and what they denote.
3.
the meaning, or an interpretation of the meaning, of a word, sign, sentence, etc.:
Let's not argue about semantics.
4.
general semantics.
Origin
1895-1900; see semantic, -ics
Related forms
semanticist
[si-man-tuh-sist] /sɪˈmæn tə sɪst/ (Show IPA), semantician
[see-man-tish-uh n] /ˌsi mænˈtɪʃ ən/ (Show IPA), noun
Examples from the web for semantics
  • But semantics aside, the probe's journey is entirely remarkable.
  • The answer first hinges on semantics, as science defined as knowledge does not require skepticism.
  • For example, artificial intuition is currently being used to understand semantics in language.
  • The first is discovery and science, whereas the second is quibbling over semantics.
  • Although you raise a good point, debating semantics is hardly a constructive activity.
  • We might put this point by saying that the computer has a syntax but no semantics.
  • Definition of axiomatic semantics, possibly with links to more information and implementations.
  • The response semantics may be changed in this way only if the client specifically requests the change.
British Dictionary definitions for semantics

semantics

/sɪˈmæntɪks/
noun (functioning as sing)
1.
the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of meaning, changes in meaning, and the principles that govern the relationship between sentences or words and their meanings
2.
the study of the relationships between signs and symbols and what they represent
3.
(logic)
  1. the study of interpretations of a formal theory
  2. the study of the relationship between the structure of a theory and its subject matter
  3. (of a formal theory) the principles that determine the truth or falsehood of sentences within the theory, and the references of its terms
Derived Forms
semanticist, noun
Word Origin and History for semantics
n.

"science of meaning in language," 1893, from French sémantique (1883); see semantic (also see -ics). Replaced semasiology (1847), from German Semasiologie (1829), from Greek semasia "signification, meaning."

semantics in Medicine

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 in Culture

semantics definition


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.”
semantics in Technology

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)