NameSection5.4 Homophony and Polysemy
Homophonous words have identical pronunciations but different, not obviously
related meanings: bank "side of a river" versus bank "financial institution." In
contrast, a polysemous word is a single word that has several closely related
meanings: heart "(l) organ that supplies blood to the circulatory system; (2)
innermost area."Question
Indicate whether each word below is an instance of homophony or polysemy.
Defend your answer in each case by discussing the meanings of the word(s). If the
relation is one of polysemy, discuss in what ways the various meanings can be
related.- accommodation (lodging; anything that meets a need)
- nail (fingernail or toenail; carpenter's nail)
- admission (confession; entrance fee)