WHAT IS THE POLYSEMY OF THE STORY? MEANINGS AND EXAMPLES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The polysemy of history can be defined as the set of all those different possible meanings of the word history. The term polysemy is of Greek origin, whose meaning is "of many senses", and the term history also has its origin in Greek, it comes from the word "heard" which can be translated as "I know".

Unlike synonyms, where different words are used for the same meaning, polysemy uses the same word that, depending on the meaning and subject, has different meanings.

Ole Worm's cabinet of curiosities, from the »Museum Wormianum», 1655.

In some languages ​​polysemy has a very notable presence, as for example in English, where 40% of the words are polysemic. Some of these can have up to more than thirty meanings. Polysemy originates for various reasons, among them the use of words in the vocabulary in the form of metaphors.

The ideological context that develops in a conversation and the phrase used where a polysemic word is integrated, are the elements that make it possible to detect what the meaning of that word is among all the possible ones.

Thus, the word history is a polysemic term that has a great variety of meanings that are determined mainly by the context in which it is being spoken.

The polysemic character of the story. The different meanings

Below are some types of Polysemy in history, differentiated according to their use:

- As a study of a country, a science or a person

History of literature

It is the study of written works, where the different literary techniques that have been used in it are developed. Explain the characteristics of each stage of literature, to understand the different changes and influences that have been transmitted.

History of Spain

It is about the study of all the events that have occurred over the years in Spain and that have marked an era. For example: the different wars that have been, treaties, crises, reigns, the different types of political movements, religious events and a long etc.

Universal history

It encompasses any fact and process carried out by human beings, from the first appearance of man to the current date. It is made up of a series of revolutionary events, inventions, discoveries, and movements that only accelerate human evolution.

Natural History

It is the study of living things and nature. Within this concept is biology, botany and zoology. It can also be extended to other fields such as paleontology, ecology, biochemistry, geology, astronomy and even physics.

Oral history

Method that consists of the analysis, through oral sources, of events that have happened to reconstruct the past, is used in the social sciences. It is the oral record that has been transmitted generation after generation. A good example would be myths and legends.

History of religions

It is the study of different religions and their practices, as well as the different types of rites and myths. It is a discipline that is differentiated within theology. It is also often called the science of religion.

Old history

It is the stage between prehistory and the Middle Ages. Throughout it, the first civilizations that had writing have developed, urban life began to be structured, the division of labor and different social organizations emerged, the first governments and States.

It is in this period that the first great cities emerged after the primitive Neolithic villages.

History of art

It is all that activity or product created by people that has an aesthetic or communicative purpose. Ideas, emotions, feelings or the vision of the world of the creative person are expressed.

Here various genres are included: architecture, dance, sculpture, music, painting, poetry, theater, narrative, cinematography, photography, advertising, animation, television, video games, etc.

Intellectual history

Study of the ideas and mentalities of the great thinkers of a time, that is, it is the study of human thought through deeds and works.

Life story

It is the detailed explanation of the events that have happened in the life of a person.

Clinic history

It is all the data and medical history of a patient. It shows both personal data, such as those obtained after physical examinations, clinical laboratory studies, image diagnoses and any type of test performed.

All the guidelines made by the medical professional and their evolution are also included. It is a basic record that consists of all the medical work that is performed.

- As a synonym for other words

History-past

As a synonym for the past. Example: this has already gone down in history; that problem has already gone down in history.

Story-narration

Its meaning is equivalent to a story. It can refer to narrations of any type of event, lies and also to narrations of imaginary events. Examples: this is the story of a girl who lived….; a love story.

History-fact

History could be defined as synonymous with a fact, it is something that is used very often when something is explained from you to you. For example: it is a long story to tell right now; give me more details of the story; it's the same old story, etc.

History-excuse

It is used both for something past, present or future Example: surely now it comes with a story; don't give me stories; Stop stories!

History-mess

Example: surely they are involved in a story; they have gotten into good history.

References

1. Alpha history. (sf). History concepts. Retrieved on 05-04-2017, from alphahistory.com.
2. (sf). The free dictionary. Retrieved on 05/04/2017, from thefreedictionary.com.
3. (02 of 2015). The polysemy of history and the truth in history. Retrieved on 05/04/2017, from historiademexico1abc.wordpress.com.
4. Hubert, C., & Brita E., Z. (sf). Polysemy in Congnitive Linguistics. Retrieved on 05/04/2017, from benjamins.com.
5. Kris Hirst, K. (02/28/2017). What is History? - A collection of Definitions. Retrieved on 05/04/2017, from thoughtco.com.
6. (01 of 10 of 2012). The different meanings of the word history. Retrieved on 05/04/2017, from clubensayos.com.
7. ARQHYS.com Magazine. (05 of 2015). 10 Examples of Polysemic Words. Retrieved on 05-04-2017, from 10examples.com.