monosign
(ˈmɒnəʊsaɪn)
[f. mono- + sign n.]
A ‘sign’ or word used with only one meaning at a time: opp. plurisign. Hence monosigˈnation, monoˈsignative a.
| 1940 Kenyon Rev. II. 266 The atomic ingredient of literal language is the monosign (called in logic the ‘term’); the atomic ingredient of poetic language tends to be the plurisign. Ibid., I am not inquiring whether the ideal of monosignation is ever perfectly realized. Ibid. 267 A logician..requires monosignative clarity. 1949 Wellek & Warren Theory of Lit. xv. 190 Instead of aiming at a system of abstractions consistently expressed by a system of monosigns, poetry organizes a unique, unrepeatable pattern of words, each an object as well as a sign. 1954 P. Wheelwright Burning Fountain 378 The plurisign is..distinguished from the monosign, or steno-term. 1965 Encycl. Poetry 760/1 The depth symbol..defies any adequate analysis into monosignative components. |