Names of Feelings in the Dictionary

Abstract

Abstract The paper deals with words that denote feelings rather than with feelings as such. It proposes the strictly lexicographic description of some names of ‘psyche-induced feelings1’ [= ‘feelings2’], such as Joy or Amazement, in contrast to the names of ‘body-induced feelings1’ [= ‘sensations’], such as Hunger and Tiredness. This description is based on the semantic prime ‘feel1’, which itself is explicated through a naïve model of the human psyche. Our theoretical and descriptive framework is the Explanatory Combinatorial Dictionary: its main principles, the notions of lexical unit (described by a lexical entry) and vocable (described by a lexical superentry), and the three major zones of a lexical entry. A tripartite general schema of the lexicographic definition of a feeling2 name is proposed: the central (= generic) component, the Stimulus component, and the Effect component. According to the Stimulus component, four major classes of feeling2 names are distinguished: names of reactions to facts, to thoughts, to beliefs, and to wishes. These classes are illustrated with the definitions of several English feeling2 names. A complete lexical entry for the feeling2 name Anger(N)1 is given.