What term denotes the literal meaning of a word?

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Multiple Choice

What term denotes the literal meaning of a word?

Explanation:
Literal meaning is captured by denotation. Denotation is the direct reference a word has in the dictionary—the object, concept, or category it names. For example, the denotation of “rose” is a flowering plant of the genus Rosa, not the feelings or ideas people might associate with roses—that’s connotation. Connotation refers to the ideas and emotions a word evokes beyond its literal sense. Meaning is a broader term that can include both denotation and connotation, while representation is about signs standing for things in general. So the term for the literal meaning is denotation.

Literal meaning is captured by denotation. Denotation is the direct reference a word has in the dictionary—the object, concept, or category it names. For example, the denotation of “rose” is a flowering plant of the genus Rosa, not the feelings or ideas people might associate with roses—that’s connotation. Connotation refers to the ideas and emotions a word evokes beyond its literal sense. Meaning is a broader term that can include both denotation and connotation, while representation is about signs standing for things in general. So the term for the literal meaning is denotation.

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