Chapter 18 Lexical Functions: Description of Lexical Relations in a ...

—Chapter 18. Lexical Functions— 29
The lexicographic definition of a richer synonym of L includes L’s meaning, so that if L1 =
Syn ⊃ (L2), then (L1) ⊃ (L2). Syn ⊃ (L) logically entails L, but not vice versa, while Syn ⊂ (L) is
logically entailed by L, but not vice versa.
NB: Syn ⊃ and Syn ⊂ are reciprocally inverse. Thus, if Syn ⊃ (L1) = L2, then L1 = Syn ⊂ (L2).
Examples
Syn(helicopter) = chopper, copter
Syn(policeman) = cop
Syn(telephoneV) = phoneV
Syn(heart) = ticker
Syn(standard) = garden-variety
Syn(stopV [N]) = pull the plug [on N]
Syn ⊃ (fireV [upon N]) = shellV [N] [shellV [N] entails fireV [upon N], but not vice versa]
Syn ⊂ (break away) = escapeV [break away entails escapeV, but not vice versa]
Syn ∩ (escapeV) = elude, avoid
Syn ∩ (kick the bucket) = bite the dust
Remarks
• Lexical synonymy is considered in MTT with respect to specific lexicographic senses only,
i.e., with respect to separate LUs. Therefore, as stated above, all LUs in our examples should
carry distinguishing lexicographic numbers; this is not done for simplicity’s sake.
• Lexical synonymy is considered with respect to meaning only, the differences in distribution
and style/register being immaterial from this stand; they are taken care of in the lexical entries of
synonyms. TICKER is an absolute synonym of HEART, in spite of the fact that the former is a
slang expression, while the latter, a neutral term.
• It is generally assumed that absolute synonymy—like Fr. VÉLO (bike) ~ BICYCLETTE (bike),
or BICYCLE ~ BIKE—is rare. This is true, but its rarity should not be exaggerated: the number of
absolute synonyms in a ‘standard average’ European language is about a few hundred. 9 However,
it is true that approximate synonymy is by far more important in human languages and, as a
consequence, quasi-synonyms are much more widespread.
• Quasi-synonyms must be neutralizable in at least some contexts. For instance, LUs CAR and
VEHICLE are quasi-synonyms because in some contexts one of them can be used instead of the
other: The police chased the blue car throughout Manhattan, but the vehicle disappeared.
WEAPON is a Syn ⊂ of GUN, while FIREARM is not, because the former, but not the latter, can
anaphorically replace GUN in texts: Lucky Joe pulled his gun, but the sheriff wrestled the weapon
〈*the firearm〉 from him; The criminal had two weapons 〈*two firearms〉 hidden in his socks.