edu.smu.tspell.wordnet
Interface Synset

All Known Subinterfaces:

AdjectiveSatelliteSynset, AdjectiveSynset, AdverbSynset, NounSynset, VerbSynset

All Known Implementing Classes:

AbstractSynset, AdjectiveReferenceSynset, AdjectiveSatelliteReferenceSynset, AdverbReferenceSynset, NounReferenceSynset, VerbReferenceSynset

public interface Synset

A collection of one or more words and phrases ("collocations") collectively referred to as "word forms" that can all share the same meaning. The qualification that each one can share the same meaning as the other word forms in the synset refers to the fact that many word forms can have multiple meanings, a characteristic known as "polysemy." That is, a single word can have very different meanings in different contexts and it's even possible for a single word to be used as different parts of speech (noun, verb, etc.) For example, "fly" can refer to an insect (noun) or the act of moving through the air (a verb).

In addition to the word form(s) associated with it, a synset typically also includes a collection of relationships based upon characteristics such as antonymy (opposites, such as "up" and "down"), hyponomy / hypernymy (subtype / supertype, e.g. "computer" is a subtype of "machine"), etc. The specific relationships applicable to a synset depend upon the part of speech associated with the concept the synset represents. In addition, two different types of relationships are defined, specifically semantic and lexical. A semantic relationship is one that exists between two synsets and that is assumed to apply to all word forms within the synsets. In contrast, a lexical relationship exists between two specific word forms within two separate synsets.

A synset also includes a short definition and usually provides one or more examples of how the word forms in the synset are used.

See Also:

Five Papers on WordNet ("Introduction to WordNet: An On-Line Lexical Database")

Method Summary

WordSense[]	getAntonyms(String wordForm) Returns the antonyms (words with the opposite meaning), if any, associated with a word form in this synset.
String	getDefinition() Retrieve a short description / definition of this concept.
WordSense[]	getDerivationallyRelatedForms(String wordForm) Returns word forms that derivationally related to the one specified.
int	getTagCount(String wordForm) Returns a number that's intended to provide an approximation of how frequently the specified word form is used to represent this meaning relative to how often it's used to represent other meanings.
SynsetType	getType() Retrieve the type of synset this object represents.
String[]	getUsageExamples() Retrieve sentences showing examples of how this synset is used.
String[]	getWordForms() Retrieve the word forms.

Method Detail

getType

public SynsetType getType()

Retrieve the type of synset this object represents.

Returns:

Type of synset this object represents.

getWordForms

public String[] getWordForms()

Retrieve the word forms.

Returns:

Array of synonymous words and phrases.

getAntonyms

public WordSense[] getAntonyms(String wordForm)
                        throws WordNetException

Returns the antonyms (words with the opposite meaning), if any, associated with a word form in this synset.

For example, "left" is an antonym of "right" (and vice-versa).

Parameters:

wordForm - Word form for which to return antonyms.

Returns:

The antonyms of the specified word sense.

Throws:

WordNetException - An error occurred retrieving data.

getDerivationallyRelatedForms

public WordSense[] getDerivationallyRelatedForms(String wordForm)
                                          throws WordNetException

Returns word forms that derivationally related to the one specified.

For example, a derivationally related form of "meter" is "metrical".

Parameters:

wordForm - Word form for which to return derivationally related senses.

Returns:

Derivationally related word senses.

Throws:

WordNetException - An error occurred retrieving data.

getTagCount

public int getTagCount(String wordForm)

Returns a number that's intended to provide an approximation of how frequently the specified word form is used to represent this meaning relative to how often it's used to represent other meanings.

Parameters:

wordForm - Word form for which to return the tag count.

Returns:

Number that's used to indicate an approximate frequency of use.

Throws:

WordNetException - The specified word form is not part of this synset.

See Also:

Format of cntlist File.

getDefinition

public String getDefinition()

Retrieve a short description / definition of this concept.

Returns:

Description / definition of what this synset represents.

getUsageExamples

public String[] getUsageExamples()

Retrieve sentences showing examples of how this synset is used.

Returns:

Example sentences if any are defined for the synset. If none are defined then a zero-length array is returned.