Polysemy vs. Homonymy

Polysemynoun

(semantics) The property of a word, sign or symbol that can represent multiple similar meanings.

Polysemynoun

the ambiguity of an individual word or phrase that can be used (in different contexts) to express two or more different meanings

Polysemy

Polysemy ( or ; from Greek: πολύ-, polý-, and σῆμα, sêma, ) is the capacity for a word or phrase to have multiple related meanings. Polysemy is thus distinct from homonymy—or homophony—which is an accidental similarity between two or more words (such as bear the animal, and the verb to bear); while homonymy is a mere linguistic coincidence, polysemy is not.

Homonymynoun

(semantics) The property of being a homonym.

Homonymynoun

Sameness of name or designation; identity in relations.

Homonymynoun

Sameness of name or designation of things or persons which are different; ambiguity.