Homonyms
* Definition: Words that sound alike and are spelled alike but have different meanings.
* Key Characteristic: Different meanings, same form (spelling and sound)
* Examples:
* Bat: (a flying mammal) vs. Bat: (a piece of equipment used in baseball)
* Bear: (a large mammal) vs. Bear: (to tolerate or endure)
* Right: (correct) vs. Right: (opposite of left)
Polysemy
* Definition: A single word with multiple related meanings.
* Key Characteristic: Different meanings, but related in some way
* Examples:
* Bright: (shining with light) vs. Bright: (intelligent)
* Run: (to move on foot) vs. Run: (to operate a program on a computer)
* Face: (the front of the head) vs. Face: (to confront a problem)
How to Tell the Difference:
* Etymology: Homonyms often have completely different origins and historical roots. Polysemous words share a common ancestor.
* Context: Homonyms require context to decipher the meaning. Polysemous words can usually be understood based on the broader context, even if the meaning is slightly different.
* Relatedness: Polysemous meanings often relate to each other in some way, either through metaphor, metonymy, or semantic extension. Homonyms have unrelated meanings.
Examples to illustrate:
* "The bat hit the ball." This sentence refers to the baseball bat.
* "The bat flew out of the cave." This sentence refers to the animal.
* "He has a bright future ahead of him." This sentence refers to the meaning of "bright" as intelligent.
* "The sun is shining bright today." This sentence refers to the meaning of "bright" as shining with light.
In essence:
* Homonyms: Different meanings, completely unrelated.
* Polysemy: Different meanings, but related in some way.