Michel Bréal Quote

In that second part we propose to investigate how it happens that words, once created and endowed with a certain meaning, extend that meaning or contract it, transfer it from one group of notions on to another, raise its value or lower it, in a word — bring about changes. It is this second part that constitutes semantics, i.e. science of meaning.

p. 99 ; as cited in: Schaff (1962:4). - Essai de semantique, 1897