homonymy (n.)

A term used in SEMANTIC analysis to refer to LEXICAL ITEMS which have the same FORM but differ in MEANING. Homonyms are illustrated from the various meanings of bear (= animal, carry) or ear (of body, of corn). In these examples, the identity covers both spoken and written forms, but it is possible to have partial homonymy (or HETERONYMY), where the identity is within a single MEDIUM, as in HOMOPHONY and HOMOGRAPHY. When there is AMBIGUITY between homonyms (whether non-deliberate or contrived, as in riddles and puns), a homonymic clash or conflict is said to have occurred. In semantic analysis, the theoretical distinction between homonymy and POLYSEMY (one form with different meanings) provides a problem which has attracted a great deal of attention.