A.Word.A.Day --polysemous

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polysemous

PRONUNCIATION:

(puh-LIS-i-muhs, pol-ee-SEE-muhs)

MEANING:

adjective: Having multiple meanings.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin polysemus, from Greek polysemos, from poly- (many) + sema (sign). Earliest documented use: 1884.

USAGE:

"The polysemous ancient Greek word pharmakon strangely captures all of these apparently contradictory senses and meanings."
Stephen Morris; Revealing the Pharmacon; Catholic New Times; Nov 21, 2004.

See more usage examples of polysemous in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

No battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools. -William Faulkner, novelist (1897-1962)

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