Denotation vs. Dog — What's the Difference?

Denotation is a translation of a sign to its meaning, precisely to its literal meaning, more or less like dictionaries try to define it. Denotation is sometimes contrasted to connotation, which includes associated meanings.

The domestic dog (Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. The dog derived from an ancient, extinct wolf, and the modern grey wolf is the dog's nearest living relative.

The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests

A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris syn. Canis lupus subsp. familiaris) occurring as a wide variety of breeds, many of which are traditionally used for hunting, herding, drawing sleds, and other tasks, and are kept as pets.

The act of denoting; indication.

Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.

Something, such as a sign or symbol, that denotes.

A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of a fox or a domesticated breed.

Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol.

Any of various other animals, such as the prairie dog.

The most specific or direct meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.

A person

The act of denoting, or something (such as a symbol) that denotes

A person regarded as contemptible

The primary, surface, literal, or explicit meaning of a signifier such as a word, phrase, or symbol; that which a word denotes, as contrasted with its connotation; the aggregate or set of objects of which a word may be predicated.

A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting.

The intension and extension of a word

Something of inferior or low quality

(semantics) Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol

An investment that produces a low return or a loss.

(computer science) Any mathematical object which describes the meanings of expressions from the languages, formalized in the theory of denotational semantics

Dogs(Slang) The feet.

(media studies) A first level of analysis: what the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor.

See andiron.

The marking off or separation of anything.

(Slang) A hot dog; a wiener.

The act of indicating or pointing out by name

Any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for gripping or holding heavy objects.

The most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to;

(Astronomy) A sundog.

Totally; completely. Often used in combination

To track or trail persistently

To hold or fasten with a mechanical device

To be persistently or inescapably associated with

To be recurrently or persistently in the mind; haunt

A mammal of the family Canidae:

The species Canis familiaris (sometimes designated Canis lupus familiaris), domesticated for thousands of years and of highly variable appearance because of human breeding.

Any member of the family Canidae, including domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes, and their relatives extant and extinct; canid.

A male dog, wolf, or fox, as opposed to a bitch or vixen.

The meat of this animal, eaten as food:

A person:

A dull, unattractive girl or woman.

(slang) A man, guy, chap.

(derogatory) Someone who is cowardly, worthless, or morally reprehensible.

(slang) A sexually aggressive man.

A mechanical device or support:

Any of various mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening something, particularly with a tooth-like projection.

A click or pallet adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel, to restrain the back action.

A metal support for logs in a fireplace.

(cartomancy) The eighteenth Lenormand card.

A hot dog: a frankfurter, wiener, or similar sausage; or a sandwich made from this.

Underdog.

Foot.

(Cockney rhyming slang) (from "dog and bone") Phone or mobile phone.

One of the cones used to divide up a racetrack when training horses.

(informal) Something that performs poorly.

(film) A flop; a film that performs poorly at the box office.

(transitive) To pursue with the intent to catch.

(transitive) To follow in an annoying or harassing way.

To fasten a hatch securely.

To watch, or participate, in sexual activity in a public place.

To intentionally restrict one's productivity as employee; to work at the slowest rate that goes unpunished.

(transitive) To criticize.

To divide (a watch) with a comrade.

(slang) Of inferior quality; dogshit.

A quadruped of the genus Canis, esp. the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch.

A fellow; - used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog.

One of the two constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor, or the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog. Canis Major contains the Dog Star (Sirius).

An iron for holding wood in a fireplace; a firedog; an andiron.

A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them.

An ugly or crude person, especially an ugly woman.

A hot dog.

To hunt or track like a hound; to follow insidiously or indefatigably; to chase with a dog or dogs; to worry, as if by dogs; to hound with importunity.

A member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds;

A dull unattractive unpleasant girl or woman;

Informal term for a man;

Someone who is morally reprehensible;

A smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll

A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward

Metal supports for logs in a fireplace;

Go after with the intent to catch;