Connote
or denote?
These two are often
confused, and thought by some writers, to be synonyms. But they mean different
things.
Connote means to suggest or imply.
Denote means to distinguish by a mark or sign, to make
known, to signify, to designate.
So, whilst the clichéd limp-wrist used by some comedians may
connote homosexuality to an audience, a ‘V’ sign denotes the user’s desire for
the recipient to leave.
‘Sibyl thought that Horace, in making his gesture of quotes
in the air even as he agreed with her, was connoting a certain scepticism about
her protestations of innocence.’
‘Freda, hoping to avoid a fatal accident, felt obliged to
point out to Fred that the sign bearing a curved arrow denoted a steep bend a
short distance ahead of their speeding car.’
No comments:
Post a Comment