Changes in meaning
Specialization
A meaning change from general to specific or broad to narrow; compare generalization.
Pejoration
A meaning change in which a word is downgraded in meaning of status; compare amelioration.
Fond, which meant foolish in Shakespeare's time, now means affectionate.
Amelioration
High minded. As used in the Bible, high minded means haughty or proud. Today's meaning is noble in thought or sentiment.
Amelioration
Naughty. Naughty as used in the Bible and Shakespeare means evil. Today it means mischievous or disobedient.
Amelioration
Nice. Derived from Latin ne scio, I do not know, nice meant silly or ignorant when borrowed into English. Through the phrase a nice distinction it came to mean precise. Today it means pleasing or friendly.
Amelioration
Prestige, borrowed from French, is derived from Latin praestigium, illusion, or jugglers trick.
Amelioration
Chairman. At medieval conferences the only man privileged to sit in a chair was the one in authority. Today chairman means one who presides over a meeting.
Generalization
Noble. The noun noble means aristocrat. The adjective means illustrious or morally superior.
Generalization
Amelioration
Improvement in the meaning or status of a word; compare pejoration.
Propaganda. Originally propaganda meant a system for propagating religious doctrines, then any kind of ideas. As used today, it generally means the dissemination of political options for the purpose of biasing judgement.
Pejoration
The noun cavalier becomes an adjective meaning arrogant or haughty.
Pejoration
Semantic meaning
The denotative and connotative meaning of a word; that which the word symbolizes.
Generalization
Word meaning changing from specific to general or extending to include a related concept.
