Word Roots Questions Medium
The relationship between word roots and word sense extension is that word roots serve as the foundation or core element of a word, while word sense extension refers to the process of expanding or modifying the meaning of a word beyond its original root.
Word roots are typically derived from ancient languages such as Latin or Greek and carry a specific meaning. They are the basic building blocks of words and provide a starting point for understanding the meaning of a word. For example, the Latin root "dict" means "to say" or "to speak," and words like "dictate" or "dictionary" contain this root.
Word sense extension, on the other hand, occurs when the meaning of a word expands or evolves over time to include additional concepts or ideas. This can happen through various linguistic processes such as metaphor, metonymy, or semantic shift. For instance, the word "mouse" originally referred to a small rodent but has been extended to include the computer device due to its physical resemblance.
In some cases, word sense extension can be traced back to the original word root. For example, the Latin root "port" means "to carry," and from this root, words like "transport" or "import" have been extended to include the idea of carrying or bringing something from one place to another.
Overall, word roots provide a foundation for understanding the basic meaning of a word, while word sense extension allows for the expansion and adaptation of that meaning over time.