Aristotle, Categories. Chapter 1


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1. Things are said to be homonymous ((Be careful to not confuse the word “homonymous” here with modern usage. In English, two different words are called “homonymous” when they sound the same, as “bear” and “bare”. In Reasoning, the same word is used in a synonymous way when it is used in a different sense in each place.)) of which the name alone is common, but the definition of Substance according to the name is different. Thus, a man and an image, are each of them named animal.((The text is not saying that a man is called “animal” and an image of an animal is also called “animal”, but that the Greek word ζῷον is used to name both an animal and an image. In these two cases, the word ζῷον is used homonymously.))  For of these, the name alone is common, but the definition applied to that name is different. Thus, if anyone explains in what being an animal in each of these consists, he will assign the peculiar definition of each.

2. Those things are said to be synonymous((Be careful to not confuse the word “synonymous” here with modern usage. In English, two different words are called “synonymous” when they have a common meaning, as “courage” and “fortitude”. In Reasoning, the same word is used in a synonyymous way when it is used in the same sense in both places.)) of which the name is common, and the definition applied to the name is the same. Thus, a man is said to be animal, and also an ox.  For each of these is called by the common name animal and the idea represented by the name is the same.  thus, if anyone gives the definition of each, explaining in what the being an animal in each of these consists, he will give the same definition.

3. Those things are called paronymous which have their name from some common thing, yet so as to differ in case.  thus, grammarian is denominated from grammar, and courageous from courage.


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