de·no·ta·tion 
(dē′nō-tāshən)
(dē′nō-tāshən)n.
1. The act of denoting; indication.
2. Something, such as a sign or symbol, that denotes.
3. Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol.
4. The most specific or direct meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.