The richness and expressiveness of any language is determined not only by the number of words included in its composition, but also by the areas of their use, semantic diversity, combining capabilities, as well as the means of forming new tokens based on existing ones. Synonymous and antonymic connections and paradigms, the phenomena of polysemy also contribute to the development of the language. Due to its wide capabilities, Russian speech is a living, moving phenomenon that is sensitive to any processes that occur in society and reflect them. Therefore, it is considered quite rightly that the life of a people is reflected, first of all, in its language.
What does it mean to be smart?
One of the basic concepts of lexicology is unambiguity and ambiguity. Linguists have established that each word can have one or more semantic meanings, the main of which are described in explanatory dictionaries. To reveal their semantic nuances helps the contextual environment, synonymous series. Take, for example, the word smart. A synonym for him is selected "on the fly" - knowing. However, it does not reflect the entire spectrum of meaning, but a small part of it. In fact, the word causes a lot more associations.
The tale of the king
The famous writer Andersen has an ostrosiric tale addressed not only to children but to adults - about the king, who appeared before the people in a naked form. Tailors-deceivers announced to him that they would sew a wonderful outfit of such matter that only a smart person (synonymous in this case - taking his place) can see. Neither the most august person, nor his courtiers wanted to admit that they did not see the strings in the hands of crooks. After all, no one wants to be considered a fool, sitting on someone else's throne or the chair of the minister. And only the child, whose soul and consciousness was still sincere and direct, was not afraid to exclaim that the king is naked! This example points to yet another semantic connotation of the word “smart,” whose synonym is “honest, truthful, fair, sincere.”
Etymological data
Let's try to establish how the token came into our speech. According to Fasmer’s dictionary, it comes from the pro-Slavic form um. It was from the basic language common to all Slavic peoples that the ancient Russian word “um” originated, its Old Slavonic version, then Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, etc. The word “clever” has a synonym with Latin roots - “aumuõ”, that is, reason, and “aumenis” - “memory”, as well as its well-proven connection with Old Slavic roots.
Dictionary tour
Let us now consider how the token is interpreted in explanatory dictionaries. This will help to isolate the shades of meaning and possible options for its consumption in speech, in fiction, etc.
- Let's start with the dictionary edited by Efremova. In it, the interpretation of the word is given on the basis of its part-membership. For example, if we consider the pronoun "smart," its meaning is: "one who has a clear, sensible, good mind." If as an adjective, then it correlates with the corresponding noun: "sensible - a person / quick-witted, intelligent animal." This is a direct meaning. But there is also figurative. According to him, the synonym “smart” is skilled (skilled hands), intelligent (smart computer machine), sane, scientist.
- Explanatory academic dictionary - in it the meaning of the word is interpreted as "possessing quick wits, a sound mind, and prudent." For example: “Dark, be smart, don't dissolve!”
- In the Kuznetsov dictionary, the meaning of the lexeme is differentiated depending on who is being discussed - about a person or an animal. In the first case, the interpretation is: “smart is one who has a sound mind”, in the second - “smart, understanding.” For example, “smart girl”, “smart cat”. This value is primary, basic. The secondary, derivative, corresponds to such an explanation: "smart - born of the mind, an indicator of prudence, education." Examples: “smart film - meaningful; a smart act is judicious. ”
- One of the most respected and fundamental linguistic publications is the Explanatory Dictionary of Ozhegov and Shvedova. The interpretation of the word “smart” in it is close to the interpretation of Kuznetsova. Namely, the primary: "smart - possessing the mind or expressing it." For example, "smart look, face, mentor." In a figurative sense, it can be a “smart article”, “smart speeches”. The secondary meaning: "intelligent, created by the mind" - "smart to do."
Pairs of synonyms and antonyms
Analysis of the lexical meaning of the word we are interested in will be incomplete without taking into account its synonymous connections and the paradigm of antonyms. To identify them, we again turn to dictionaries. What synonym for the word "smart" offer directories? This is “reasonable”, “intelligent”, “wise”, “prudent”, “sensible”, “intelligent”, “smart”, “thinking”, colloquial “brainy”, “brainy”, “big-headed”. All of them are united by a common seme: "the presence of mind." So, in Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” Famusov speaks of Chatsky that he is “small with his head / And he gloriously writes, translates”. Another striking example of synonymization is the phrase “head on shoulders”. Used in a figurative meaning (characteristic of idioms), he realizes the same meaning: “A person in this life will never be lost if he has a head on his shoulders. From any position, a way will be found and a piece of bread will always be obtained. ” As for the antonyms, they are obvious: “stupid”, “stupid”, “unconscious”, “inconsiderate”, “dumb”, “headless”.