plurisignificationn.
/ˌplʊərɪˌsɪɡnᵻfᵻˈkeɪʃn/, /ˌplɔːrɪˌsɪɡnᵻfᵻˈkeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˈˌplʊrəˌsɪɡnəfəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ Chiefly Literary Theory.
The use of words to convey several meanings simultaneously; multiple significance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > semantics > polysemy > [noun] > word having several meanings > simultaneously > use of
plurisignation1940
plurisignification1940
1940 P. Wheelwright in Kenyon Rev. 2 504 The realm of poetry-connotation-plurisignification.
1980 MLN 95 1251 The production of signification, and, particularly, of pluri-signification, of ‘doubled’ talk, of lies, and illusions.
1991 H. Grady Modernist Shakespeare (1994) v. 195 The professionalized New Critical paradigm, restricting itself to formal discussions of the autonomous operations of texts creating plurisignification.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1940