Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics
denotation [Lat. denotare ‘to mark, to indicate, to mean’]
1 Denotation vs connotation: denotation refers to the constant, abstract, and basic meaning of a linguistic expression independent of context and situation, as opposed to the connotative, i.e. subjectively variable, emotive components of meaning.
Thus, the denotation of night can be described as the ‘period of time from sunset to the following sunrise,’ while the connotation may include such components as ‘scary,’ ‘lonely,’ or ‘romantic.’
2 Denotation as reference (also designation): when a lexeme ‘denotes’ a particular object or state of affairs, it does so in the sense of an extensional reference (
extension). Intensional meaning ( intension), which refers to characteristics, traits, or features, is distinguished from extensional meaning.
3 Denotation vs designation: following the second definition above, denotation refers to individual elements (e.g. bluegill, pike, trout), whereas by designation, one understands the reference to classes of elements (e.g. freshwater fish). In unique objects (e.g. sun, God) the distinction is more or less moot, since the identity of element and set is one and the same.
References
meaning, semantics
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