auto-antonym
Sign in to saveAlso known as autantonym, autoantonym, contranym, contronym, antagonym, enantiodrome, self-antonym, antilogy
A contronym or contranym is a word with two opposite meanings. For example, the word cleave can mean "to cling" or "to split apart". This feature is also called enantiosemy, enantionymy (enantio- means "opposite"), antilogy or autoantonymy. An enantiosemic term is by definition polysemic (having more than one meaning).
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Article
12 sectionsContents
- Nomenclature
- Examples
- English
- Other languages
- Verbs
- Adverbs
- Adjectives
- In translation
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
A contronym or contranym is a word with two opposite meanings. For example, the word cleave can mean "to cling" or "to split apart". This feature is also called enantiosemy, enantionymy (enantio- means "opposite"), antilogy or autoantonymy. An enantiosemic term is by definition polysemic (having more than one meaning).
== Nomenclature == A contronym is alternatively called an autantonym, auto-antonym, antagonym, enantiodrome, enantionym, Janus word (after the Roman god Janus, who is usually depicted with two faces), self-antonym, antilogy, or aḍdād (Arabic, singular ḍidd).