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semantics

Semantics Sem*an"tics, n. sing. or pl. [Gr. shmantikos having meaning, from sh^ma a sign.] 1. the study of the meanings of words and of the sense development of words; -- formerly called semasiology. [PJC]

2. a doctrine and philosophical approach to language and its relationship to thought and behavior, developed by Alfred Korzybski (1879-1950), which holds that the capacity to express ideas and thereby improve one s interaction with others and one s environment is enhanced by training in the more critical use of words and other symbols; -- also called {{general semantics}}. [PJC]

3. the meanings of words as they are used to achieve an effect; especially, the multiple meanings of words or the multiplicity of words having the same meaning; -- used in referring to the confusion that can be caused (intentionally or unintentionally) by multiple meanings; as, there s no real difference, it s only a matter of semantics. [PJC]