Lexical meanings in dynamic perspective

The paper focuses on the word semantic structure and its dynamics in time, on how and why new word meanings emerge. Semantic transfers involved in derivation are specified: metonymic and metaphoric mechanisms are analyzed, the idea that only some of the transfers can be qualified as new meanings and find their way into dictionary entries is supported. The authors argue that the meaning emerged tends to live in the language unchanged (most often), the claim is substantiated by the practical arguments relying on the semantic derivation within the semantic structure of the English adjective “green”. Another claim that the meaning is normally perceived as coinciding for the whole pool of native speakers, which means that it is at least incautious to promote the idea of its individuality. The idea is supported by empirical data. The study of changes in the semantic structure of a word is based on a comparison of the meaning of a word in synchronic and diachronic contexts. The research methods include lexicographic, lexical-semantic and contextual analyses. The word “green” is used as an example, the choice being prompted by the lexicographical sample suggested by L.V. Scherba for the French adjective “vert / verte” (green).