Which term means 'the literal meaning of a word'?

Which term means 'the literal meaning of a word'?

• A. Denotation
• B. Gloss
• C. Ambivalent
• D. Demonstrably

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is understanding how a word’s literal meaning is defined. Denotation is the literal, dictionary-like meaning a word directly refers to—the basic thing the word names, without any extra feelings or associations. That’s why it matches “the literal meaning of a word.” For example, the denotation of “rose” is a flowering plant, separate from any ideas of romance or beauty people might associate with it. A gloss is simply an explanatory note or translation that helps you understand the word, not the word’s exact literal meaning. Ambivalent describes having mixed feelings or being unsure, which has nothing to do with literal meaning. Demonstrably means something that can be proven, again not about a word’s meaning.

The main idea here is understanding how a word’s literal meaning is defined. Denotation is the literal, dictionary-like meaning a word directly refers to—the basic thing the word names, without any extra feelings or associations. That’s why it matches “the literal meaning of a word.” For example, the denotation of “rose” is a flowering plant, separate from any ideas of romance or beauty people might associate with it.

A gloss is simply an explanatory note or translation that helps you understand the word, not the word’s exact literal meaning. Ambivalent describes having mixed feelings or being unsure, which has nothing to do with literal meaning. Demonstrably means something that can be proven, again not about a word’s meaning.