Lexical Relations

lexical relations: the relationships of meaning, such as synonymy, between words 

gradable antonyms: words with opposite meanings along a scale  . so sánh hơn

Ex: hot - warm - cool - cold

non-gradable antonyms: words which are direct opposites 

Ex: black - white

reversives: antonyms in which the meaning of one is the reverse action of the other 

Ex: on - off

Prototype: The most characteristic instance of a category . The first thing come in mind

Ex: Home 

• house

• apartment

• bungalow

polysemy: a word having two or more related meanings ( đa nghĩa)

Ex: foot, of person, of bed, of mountain)

Word Play ( chơi chữ) refers to the clever and humorous use of words and their meanings, often exploiting ambiguities, multiple meanings, or similar sounds. 

Word play often adds a layer of wit or humor to language by manipulating its structure or meanings. 

EX: "I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me."

In this pun, "hit" has two meanings: (1) understanding something suddenly, and (2) being struck by a baseball. The humor comes from the play on these two interpretations

metonymy: a word used in place of another with which it is closely connected in everyday experience  (hoán  dụ)

• a container–contents relation (bottle/water, can/juice) 

• a whole–part relation (car/wheels, house/roof) 

• a representative–symbol relationship (king/crown, the President/the White House).

Ex: "The White House issued a statement."

"The White House" is used to refer to the U.S. President or their administration, even though the White House is just the building where they work.