Chapter 10: Word Meanings

Exercise 1. For each of the following words or phrases, describe an intension and an extension:

  • university
  • the fastest man in the world
  • astronaut
  • mayor

Exercise 2. Consider the category vehicle. Generate a list of at least twelve words that refer to members of the vehicle category, and rank them in order of most prototypical to most peripheral category members. Discuss, briefly, what features make something a prototypical vehicle. What features do the peripheral members have (or not have) that make them less prototypical?

 

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