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sema

seme

noun SEH-mah Rare

Origin: From Greek sēma (sign, signal).

Also means

semantic unit

Usage Note

Sema (also spelled sème) is a technical linguistics term denoting the smallest unit of meaning within a sememe—used in semiotics and structural semantics. It is rarely encountered outside academic texts. The plural is i semi in some usages, though i sema is also found. Not to be confused with seme (seed) or sema in heraldry.

Examples

"Ogni sema contribuisce al significato della parola."

Natural Translation

Each seme contributes to the meaning of the word.

Literal Translation

Each seme contributes to-the meaning of-the word.

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