Literary notes about denotation (AI summary)
In literary discourse the term "denotation" is employed to pinpoint the explicit, literal reference or meaning of a word, setting it apart from the emotional or suggestive overtones captured by its connotation. Writers might stress that while the denotation of a term marks its precise extension or the objects it represents—as in the case of proper names and abstract descriptions ([1], [2])—the broader, sometimes shifting connotation enriches its emotional or contextual impact ([3], [4]). Moreover, discussions often explore how a word’s denotation can be maintained or even expanded while its connotation varies inversely ([5]), highlighting the dual nature of language in both its clear referential function and its more subtle, emotive qualities ([6], [7]).
- It is only about proper names that convention is admitted to be the cause of denotation.
— from A History of Indian Philosophy, Volume 1 by Surendranath Dasgupta - Hence the meaning of "the author of Waverley," as opposed to the denotation, is certainly relevant to "Scott is the author of Waverley."
— from Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays by Bertrand Russell - Same denotation as {bletcherous}, {losing}, q.v., but the connotation is much milder.
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 - How little is the difference in denotation, how great the difference in suggestion!
— from Materials and Methods of FictionWith an Introduction by Brander Matthews by Clayton Meeker Hamilton - And, on the other hand, we can only increase the denotation of a term, or apply it to more objects, by decreasing its connotation;
— from Logic: Deductive and Inductive by Carveth Read - It is the suggestive power of words that the poet cares for, rather than their current denotation.
— from Milton by Mark Pattison - In these lines, fully as much is conveyed to the reader by the mere melody of m’s and r’s and l’s as by the content, or denotation, of the words.
— from A Manual of the Art of Fiction by Clayton Meeker Hamilton
