Which term denotes multiple meanings for the same word (e.g., bank of a river vs bank as a financial institution)?

Which term denotes multiple meanings for the same word (e.g., bank of a river vs bank as a financial institution)?

• A. Utterance
• B. Polysemy
• C. Diphthong
• D. Priming

Answer: (B)

Polysemy. A single word form with several related meanings is described as polysemy. For example, bank can refer to the land beside a river or a financial institution, and these senses are understood as different uses of the same word within the language. The other terms describe different concepts: an utterance is a spoken or written statement, a diphthong is a complex vowel sound, and priming is a cognitive effect from prior exposure. So polysemy best captures the idea of one word having multiple meanings.

Polysemy. A single word form with several related meanings is described as polysemy. For example, bank can refer to the land beside a river or a financial institution, and these senses are understood as different uses of the same word within the language. The other terms describe different concepts: an utterance is a spoken or written statement, a diphthong is a complex vowel sound, and priming is a cognitive effect from prior exposure. So polysemy best captures the idea of one word having multiple meanings.