Chavarga Y. Semantic and Quantitative Characteristics of Polysemantic Adjectives in Modern English

This dissertation focuses on the analysis of polysemantic adjectives' meanings in Modern English based on quantitative parameters. The research reveals the interdependence between the following parameters of polysemantic adjectives: the quantity of adjectives' meanings as well as their semantic status (polysemy index), the quantity of meanings and the adjective formation structure, the quantity of adjectives' meanings and their appurtenance to a certain semantic category ("chi-square" and the mutual collocability quotient K). The main types of semantic transitions in Modern English adjectives and their quantitative expression are established. The analysis aimed at establishing the dependence of the word quantity on the quantity of meanings allowed to single out three levels of polysemy forming potential in Modern English adjectival system: ordinary, increased and high.