It is quite common in life to encounter words with more than one meaning used under different contexts. A word may possess an original meaning for which it was intended. However, with time the same word may acquire associative or connotative dimension. The word ‘home’, for instance, is commonly defined as a dwelling place where one gets comfort and security (Susanka 2). It is a place where a family or a person can take refuge as well as keep his or her belongings. Wild and domesticated animals alike are known to have their dwelling places which are also called homes. The essay will discuss the extended definition of the word ‘home’ depending on its usage. Although the word home seems to have only one common definition, it is evident from its usage that it has a broad connotative definition that varies greatly with context making its use to have a lot of significance in the day to day communication.
The word ‘home’ can imply a variety of residential communities or even institutions purposely constructed for people to stay in. These include; homes for nursing purposes, children’s homes, homes for the elderly, prisons are also homes for criminals and foster homes. These are the housing structures that have been constructed for special groups of people to live in. It refers to a place where someone or a group of closely related people spend and can be found most of the time, for example, a family or age mates (Winslow & Jacobson 6).
From an architectural perspective, the word ‘home’ implies a physical structure constructed to contain people in it. The sizes may vary greatly from mansions that have several rooms or floors to a small hut constructed using less sophisticated materials and techniques (Susanka 5). Furthermore, a boat can be constructed to make it a home for human beings to reside in. This kind of structure is usually referred to as a houseboat and it makes up a home on the water. These are some of the modern inventions that man has made. In the past, human beings lived in caves which they identified as their homes. The modern usage of the word ‘home’ includes the country, state, or even city where one comes from (Brown 13).
Another aspect of understanding the word ‘home’ is by considering the psychological perspective. It can be considered as a feeling of security and comfort (Brown 12). For instance, if one is welcomed, he or she would feel at home or feel appreciated. This aspect of the home is usually believed to have a psychological impact on an individual. When one moves away from a conventional place of residence, then a feeling of withdrawal creeps in and may end up being homesick.
Moreover, the word ‘home’ has another strong connotation when it comes to modern computer terminologies. Home refers to the first view which is encountered and it leads to other tasks, for instance, a homepage or even the desktop (Brown 15). When it comes to the internet, the home pages contain introductory content, the most recent news, and events, and links to other parts of the main link. Still, on computer usage of the word, it may connote a directory that contains files belonging to specific persons using a given computer system.
The essay has provided an extended definition of the word ‘home’. It has offered the various connotative definitions which have been found to depend greatly on the context and point in time. The understanding of the various definitions of this word, therefore, would serve to ensure proper communication.
Works Cited
Brown, W. H. Home: is it a complex terminology? University Pub. Co., 2002, 12-17.
Susanka, S. Home solutions. Taunton Press, 2002, 2-13.
Winslow, B., & Jacobson, M. Designs of home: essential points. Taunton Press, 2002, 1-10.