What is a lexical relation with a set of pairs structure?

A lexical relation with a set of pairs structure is a pattern of association between lexical units which is characterized by a binary contrast, correlation, or correspondence between two sense sets.

A set of pairs can be represented mathematically as

• Opposites

  • {(true, false), (dead, alive), (open, shut)}
  • {(long, short), (good, bad), (hot, cold)}

• Individual-group

  • {(lion, pride), (wolf, pack), (buffalo, herd)}
  • {(flower, bouquet), (banana, bunch)}

Context for this page:

• Concept module: lexical relation with a set of pairs structure
• In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): L
• In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
• In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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