Definition:
The emotional implications and associations that a word may carry, in contrast to its denotative meanings. Adjective: connotative. See also:
- Euphemism
- Dysphemism
- Orthophemism
- Choosing the Best Words
- I'm Firm, You're Obstinate . . .
- Loaded Words
Etymology:
From the Latin, "mark"Examples and Observations:
- "In the East the wilderness has no evil connotation; it is thought of as an expression of the unity and harmony of the universe."
(William Orville Douglas) - "'Stimulus is Washington talk,' said Rahm Emanuel, the coming White House chief of staff with a sandpapered-fingertip sensitivity to the familiar connotation of words. 'Economic recovery is how the American people think of it.'"
(William Safire, "Recovery," The New York Times, Dec. 12, 2008) - "The name reservation has a negative connotation among Native Americans--an intern camp of sorts."
(John Russell) - "A group of synonyms cannot by definition be distinguished in terms of their denotation, but they usually display noticeable differences of connotation, as in the case of car, automobile, runabout, buggy, banger, bus, hot rod, jalopy, old crock, racer, and so on."
(David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2003) - "Since 'tribe' has assumed a connotation of primitiveness or backwardness, it is suggested that the use of 'nation' or 'people' replace the term whenever possible in referring to Native American peoples."
(Robert B. Moore, "Racism in the English Language," 1976; in The Production of Reality, ed. Jodi O'Brien, 2005) - "[For many], socialism implies egalitarianism and that people are living for society, while capitalism has been given the connotation of materialism, 'greedy,' 'selfish,' 'self-serving,' and so on."
(Milton Friedman) - Lisa: "A rose by any other name smells as sweet."
Bart: "Not if you call them 'Stench Blossoms.'"
(The Simpsons)
Pronunciation: kon-no-TAY-shun
Also Known As: affective meaning
