In
linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Lingu ...
, meronymy () is a
semantic relation between a meronym denoting a part and a holonym denoting a whole. In simpler terms, a meronym is in a
''part-of'' relationship with its holonym. For example, ''finger'' is a meronym of ''hand'' which is its holonym. Similarly, ''engine'' is a meronym of ''car'' which is its holonym.
Holonymy () is the converse of meronymy.
A closely related concept is that of
mereology, which specifically deals with part–whole relations and is used in
logic
Logic is the study of correct reasoning. It includes both formal and informal logic. Formal logic is the science of deductively valid inferences or of logical truths. It is a formal science investigating how conclusions follow from premis ...
. It is formally expressed in terms of
first-order logic
First-order logic—also known as predicate logic, quantificational logic, and first-order predicate calculus—is a collection of formal systems used in mathematics, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science. First-order logic uses quanti ...
. A meronymy can also be considered a
partial order
In mathematics, especially order theory, a partially ordered set (also poset) formalizes and generalizes the intuitive concept of an ordering, sequencing, or arrangement of the elements of a set. A poset consists of a set together with a binary ...
.
Meronym and holonym refer to ''part'' and ''whole'' respectively, which is not to be confused with
hyponym which refers to ''type''. For example, a holonym of ''leaf'' might be ''tree'' (a leaf is a part of a tree), whereas a hyponym of ''oak tree'' might be ''tree'' (an oak tree is a type of tree).
See also
*
Has-a
*
Hyponymy and hypernymy
*
Is-a
*
Mereological nihilism
*
Synecdoche
References
Semantic relations
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