¡¡¡¡Changes in Word Meaning
¡¡¡¡1£®Types of changes
¡¡¡¡1£©Extension
¡¡¡¡The extension of meaning, the opposite of restriction, means the widening of a word's sense until it covers much more than what it originally conveyed.
¡¡¡¡2£©Narrowing
¡¡¡¡Narrowing of meaning, also called restriction of meaning, means that a word of wide meaning acquires a narrower, specialised sense which is applicable to only one of the objects it previously denoted.
¡¡¡¡3£©Elevation
¡¡¡¡When the meaning of a word narrows toward a more favourable meaning it is called elevation
¡¡¡¡4£©Degradation
¡¡¡¡Degradation means the falling of word meaning into disrepute, for one reason or another. Words once respectable or neutral may shift to a less respectable, or even derogatory meaning.
¡¡¡¡2. Causes of changes
¡¡¡¡1£©Extra-linguistic factors
¡¡¡¡£¨1£©historical reason
¡¡¡¡£¨2£©class reason
¡¡¡¡£¨3£©psychological reason
¡¡¡¡2£©Linguistic factors
¡¡¡¡£¨1£©shortening
¡¡¡¡£¨2£©borrowing
¡¡¡¡£¨3£©analogy
