ETYMOLOGICAL AND SEMANTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ‘MEDICINE’ IN MODERN ENGLISH

Abstract

Purpose. The present research project deals with etymological and semantic aspects of ‘Medicine’ in the English language. The research focuses on current trends in the development of the semantic structure of the above-mentioned noun. Methodology. The empirical study is based upon the material from modern English dictionaries and etymology dictionaries and includes such methods as description and analysis of material, lexicographic data interpretation, semantic and conceptual analysis. Results. Due to the focus on medicine in the life of modern society the results of the present studies are based on the detailed analysis of etymological background and semantic structure of the English noun ‘Medicine’. The results also provide a reliable interpretation of both etymological transformations and semantic changes of ‘Medicine’ in view of the professional cultural development of the English society. Various ways and means of synonymous groups related to ‘Medicine’ are described in terms of specialization, metaphor, and metonymy. The research results contribute to realistic representation of the concept ‘MEDICINE’ within modern English worldview. Practical implications. The research results can be helpful for teaching students of secondary and higher educational programmes, for a reliable interpretation of medical concepts.

Keywords

• медицина
• концепт
• этимологические изменения
• семантические связи
• дискурс
• лингвистический маркер