Hypernym Hypernym

Hypernym - Definition and Overview

A hypernym (in Greek υπερνύμιον, literally meaning 'extra name') is a linguistic term for a word whose meaning includes the meanings of other words, as the meaning of transportation includes the meaning of train, chariot, dogsled, airplane, and automobile.

Hypernym is the opposite of hyponym, a word whose meaning is included by another. Thus, plant is hypernymic to flower, while tulip is hyponymic to flower.

Another name for a hypernym is a superordinate.

See also synonym.

Copyright 2009 WordIQ.com - Privacy Policy  :: Terms of Use  :: Contact Us  :: About Us
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the this Wikipedia article.