Denotation: refers to the literal meaning of a word, the "dictionary definition."¨ For example, the word SNAKE: def. "any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles. having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions."
Connotation: refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word. The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative meanings. The connotations for the word snake could include evil or danger.
For example:
Both "woman" and "chick" have the denotation "adult female" in North American
society, but "chick" has somewhat negative connotations, while "woman" is neutral.
(http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/English_Literature/terms/denotation.htm)
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