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Double meaning

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Words or phrases intentionally carrying two distinct interpretations simultaneously

Detailed Definition
Double meaning: Words or phrases in poetry that simultaneously convey two distinct meanings, creating ambiguity, complexity, or layered significance. Also called amphibology or semantic ambiguity, double meaning requires readers to hold multiple interpretations simultaneously. This technique appears in puns, deliberate ambiguity, and rich metaphor where multiple meanings coexist. Double meaning enriches poetry by suggesting complexity beyond surface reading and engaging readers in active interpretation. The technique reveals language's inherent multiplicity and poetry's capacity to exploit this multiplicity for expressive depth, making single utterances carry multiple simultaneous messages.
Example
Example in poetry:
Double meaning employs words or phrases that simultaneously convey two different interpretations, creating ambiguity or layered significance within a line.
Additional Notes
Double meaning uses words or phrases with multiple simultaneous interpretations, creating ambiguity or layered significance. This technique enriches poetry by allowing multiple valid readings to coexist.
Also Known As
Ambiguity doubleness of meaning pun double sense Calembour Semantic doubling Syllepsis Wordplay Irony
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