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Underextension vs Overextension - What's the difference?

underextension | overextension |

In linguistics terms the difference between underextension and overextension

is that underextension is application of a term to too few referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer only to the family pet while overextension is application of a term to too many referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer to all animals.

underextension

English

Noun

  • (linguistics) Application of a term to too few referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer only to the family pet.

    • overextension

    English

    Noun

  • The state or quality of being overextended.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2009, date=February 13, author=, title=The Worst-Case Scenario, work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=Other nations sensed American overextension . }}
  • (linguistics) Application of a term to too many referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer to all animals.