Lexeme vs. Lexical

Attribute	Lexeme	Lexical
Definition	The basic unit of meaning in a language	Relating to words or vocabulary
Part of Speech	Can be a word or a group of words that represents a single meaning	Adjective used to describe words or vocabulary
Usage	Used in linguistics to analyze and categorize words	Used to describe the vocabulary or words of a language

Definition

Lexeme and lexical are two terms that are often used in the field of linguistics. A lexeme is a unit of meaning that is related to a particular word, while lexical refers to anything related to the vocabulary or words of a language. In simpler terms, a lexeme is a basic unit of meaning, while lexical refers to the vocabulary as a whole.

Usage

Lexeme is typically used to refer to the smallest unit of meaning in a language. It is often used in linguistic analysis to break down words into their basic components. On the other hand, lexical is used to describe anything related to the vocabulary of a language, such as lexical categories, lexical semantics, and lexical frequency.

Grammatical Function

When it comes to grammatical function, lexeme is more focused on the meaning of a word. It is the smallest unit of meaning that cannot be divided any further without losing its meaning. Lexical, on the other hand, is more concerned with the structure and organization of words within a language. It deals with how words are categorized and how they relate to each other.

Examples

An example of a lexeme would be the word "run." This word has a specific meaning related to moving quickly on foot. It cannot be broken down into smaller units without losing its meaning. On the other hand, an example of something lexical would be the category of verbs in a language. Verbs are a lexical category that includes words like "run," "jump," and "eat."

Analysis

When analyzing language, linguists often look at both lexemes and lexical items. Lexemes help to understand the basic units of meaning within words, while lexical items provide insight into the overall vocabulary and structure of a language. By examining both aspects, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how language functions and is organized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lexeme and lexical are two important concepts in the field of linguistics. While lexeme focuses on the smallest units of meaning within words, lexical deals with the vocabulary and structure of a language as a whole. By understanding the differences between these two terms, linguists can better analyze and interpret language data.