Sense

Definition
The sense (German: Sinn) of an expression is, according to Frege (1892), the way in which its reference (German: Bedeutung) is presented.


 * "By the sense of a word we mean its place in a system of relationships which it contrasts with other words in the vocabulary." (Lyons 1968:427)

Examples
The sentences (i) and (ii) both have the same truth value (i.e. the same reference), but differ in sense.

(i) The Morning Star is the Evening Star (ii) The Morning Star is the Morning Star

Subtypes

 * Paradigmatic relationship of sense
 * Syntagmatic relationship of sense

Links

 * Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

Other language

 * German Sinn