general semantics

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. a philosophical approach to language, developed by Alfred Korzybski, exploring the relationship between the form of language and its use and attempting to improve the capacity to express ideas.

general semantics

noun

1. functioning as singular a school of thought, founded by Alfred Korzybski, that stresses the arbitrary nature of language and other symbols and the problems that result from misunderstanding their nature

Word History and Origins

Origin of general semantics¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The principles of General Semantics come in very handy in my business, especially in criminal-investigation work, like this.

From Project Gutenberg