Polysemy:
* One word, multiple related meanings: The different meanings of a polysemous word are conceptually connected.
* Etymology: These meanings typically stem from the same root word and have evolved over time.
* Example: The word "bright" can mean "shining with light" (bright star) or "intelligent" (bright student). Both meanings relate to the concept of luminosity, one literal and the other figurative.
Homonymy:
* Two or more words with the same pronunciation and spelling (or spelling) but unrelated meanings: The meanings of homonyms are entirely unrelated.
* Etymology: These words may have different origins and are merely coincidental in their form.
* Example: "Bat" can refer to a nocturnal flying mammal or a piece of equipment used in baseball. There is no semantic connection between these two meanings.
In summary:
* Polysemy: Related meanings, shared etymology.
* Homonymy: Unrelated meanings, different origins.
Here's a helpful analogy:
Imagine a tree with several branches. Polysemy is like the branches all growing from the same trunk, each representing a different but related meaning. Homonymy is like two completely separate trees that just happen to have the same name.