d. Symbolic
Explanation:
When words are spoken they tend to carry or show us what they mean.
There are ways in which we can tell or detect what words mean and they are:
a. Denotative meaning: Denotative meaning of words can be defined as the literal meaning of words. This is also referred to as the meaning of words that we find in dictionaries.
For example
The sky is blue
The denotative meaning of this sentence is the colour of the sky is blue.
b. Connotative meaning: Connotative meaning of words can be defined as the meaning that a word carries apart from what it means literally. This can be the meaning of a word culturally, religiously or emotionally. It is the implied meaning of a word.
For example.
Sandra is "green" with envy.
The denotative or literally meaning of green is a colour
But what the word green connotes in this sentence Sandra is envious or jealous.
c. Figurative meaning: The figurative meaning of a word or sentence is the meaning that is entirely different from its literal meaning. It consists of the usage of figures of speech in the sentence.
such as Idioms, Metaphors, Simile, Irony, Hyperbole e.t.c.
It rained cats and dogs today = This means it rained heavily.
Symbolic meaning is not used to detect the meaning of words. It is used detect the meaning of signs.
