LessonsMushtarak and Muʾawwal: Multiple Meanings, Preference and Legal ForceQuiz

Lexical assignment concerns which meanings a language conventionally gives to a word. Use in context concerns which meaning a speaker intends on a particular occasion. Both must be kept distinct.

Al-mushtari can mean a purchaser or the planet Jupiter. In the context of a sales agreement, the transaction naturally points to the purchaser. A word having several dictionary meanings does not entail that all are intended in every utterance.

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Lexical assignment versus use in a sentence

Mushtarak and Muʾawwal: Multiple Meanings, Preference and Legal Force

Lexical assignment concerns which meanings a language conventionally gives to a word. Use in context concerns which meaning a speaker intends on a particular occasion. Both must be kept distinct.

Al-mushtari can mean a purchaser or the planet Jupiter. In the context of a sales agreement, the transaction naturally points to the purchaser. A word having several dictionary meanings does not entail that all are intended in every utterance.