Background for deixis
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deixis

/ˈdaɪksɪs/

Meanings
noun
The use of a word, such as a pronoun, to refer to something that must be identified from the wider context; a word used in such a way.

Examples :

"Deixis allows for economy of speech but introduces ambiguity when that speech is recorded."
linguistics grammar language communication word

Related Words

Illustration recorded

recorded verb

/ɹə-/ /-əd/

To make a record of information.

"I wanted to record every detail of what happened, for the benefit of future generations."

Illustration something

something noun

/ˈsamθɪŋ/ /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

An object whose nature is yet to be defined.

"My friend told me there was something in the box, but I didn't know what it was yet. "

Illustration economy

economy noun

/iːˈkɒn.ə.mi/ /iːˈkɑn.ə.mi/

Effective management of a community or system, or especially its resources.

"The school's new economy plan focused on using resources more efficiently. "

Illustration identified

identified verb

/aɪˈdɛn.tɪ.faɪd/

To establish the identity of someone or something.

"The police identified the thief using security camera footage. "

Illustration wider

wider adjective

/ˈwaɪdə/ /ˈwaɪdɚ/

Having a large physical extent from side to side.

"We walked down a wide corridor."

Illustration introduces

introduces verb

/ˌɪntrəˈdjuːsɪz/ /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪz/

(of people) To cause (someone) to be acquainted (with someone else).

"Let me introduce you to my friends."

Illustration refer

refer verb

/ɹɪˈfɜː/ /ɹɪˈfɝ/

To direct the attention of.

"The teacher referred the student to the library for more information on the topic. "

Illustration ambiguity

ambiguity noun

/æmbɪˈɡjuːɪti/

Something, particularly words and sentences, that is open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, if that meaning etc cannot be determined from its context.

"His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position."

Illustration pronoun

pronoun noun

/ˈpɹəʊnaʊn/ /ˈpɹoʊ.naʊn/

(grammar) A type of noun that refers anaphorically to another noun or noun phrase, but which cannot ordinarily be preceded by a determiner and rarely takes an attributive adjective. English examples include I, you, him, who, me, my, each other.

"My favorite pronoun is "we," as it often refers to my family and me. "

Illustration context

context noun

/ˈkɒntɛkst/ /ˈkɑːntɛkst/

The surroundings, circumstances, environment, background or settings that determine, specify, or clarify the meaning of an event or other occurrence.

"In what context did your attack on him happen? - We had a pretty tense relationship at the time, and when he insulted me I snapped."

Illustration speech

speech noun

/ˈspiːtʃ/

The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the ability to speak or to use vocalizations to communicate.

"It was hard to hear the sounds of his speech over the noise. He had a bad speech impediment."

Illustration allows

allows verb

/əˈlaʊz/

To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have.

"to allow a servant his liberty;  to allow a free passage;  to allow one day for rest"