Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
seme
noun
/ˈseɪmiː/
Definition
A semantic unit or a unit of meaning in linguistics.
Examples
- The word ‘cats’ has two semes: ‘cat’ and ‘plurality’.
- In the phrase ‘red apple’, the semes are ‘color:red’ and ‘type:apple’.
- Identifying semes can help in understanding the nuances of word meanings.
Meaning
In linguistics, a ‘seme’ refers to the smallest unit of meaning that contributes to the overall meaning of a word or expression.
Synonyms
- semantic unit
- meaning unit
- linguistic unit
