[Lexicog] semantic extension and semantic narrowing

[Fritz Goerling]

Here is one example each of semantic extension and semantic narrowing which
is historically interesting.

In middle high German "vrouwe" meant "noblewoman"
In modern high German "Frau" (which developed from "vrouwe") means: 1)
woman; 2) wife

In middle high German "wip" meant "woman"
In modern high German "Weib" (which developed from "wip") is used to refer
to a woman
in either a poetical or pejorative way.

Fritz Goerling













-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/lexicography/attachments/20040520/d46deca7/attachment.htm>