implicature
UK[ˈɪmplɪkətʃə]US[ˈɪmplɪkətʃər]
n
A meaning that is suggested or understood from an utterance, even though it is not directly stated or logically entailed by it.
Morpheme Breakdown
implicate
ure
implicate
to entangle, involve
ure
Etymology
The word 'implicature' is a modern philosophical and linguistic term coined in the 20th century by philosopher H.P. Grice. It is built directly upon the existing English verb 'implicate', which derives from the Latin implicare, meaning 'to fold in' or 'to involve'. The suffix '-ure' is added to form a noun denoting the abstract result or product of the action. Thus, the literal sense of 'a thing folded in' evolved logically into the technical meaning of 'a meaning that is folded into or involved in an utterance without being explicitly stated'. The term elegantly captures the concept of meaning that is conveyed indirectly, wrapped within the explicit statement.
Analysis
Structure: implicate + ure
- implicate: From Latin implicatus, past participle of implicare meaning 'to entangle, involve'. The root 'plic' means 'to fold'.
- ure: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin (ura), indicating an action, process, or result.
Examples
The speaker's implicature was that the project would be delayed, though he never said so directly.
Understanding conversational implicature is key to grasping sarcasm and politeness strategies.
Grice distinguished between conventional implicature and conversational implicature.