Frames and semagrams: meaning description in the General Dutch Dictionary

This paper discusses the semagram, an innovation in the way of describing meaning in
lexicography, as used in the Algemeen Nederlands Woordenboek (General Dutch
Dictionary). A semagram is the representation of knowledge associated with a word in a
frame of slots and fillers. Slots are conceptual structure elements which characterise the
properties and relations of the semantic class of a word-e.g. colour, smell, taste,
composition, components, preparation for the class of beverages. The abstract meaning
frame for such a semantic class is called type template. After a motivation for the use of
frames in lexicography we reveal how semantic classes are determined and how type
templates are composed. We illustrate this with the type template of the animal names and show how the semagram of cow is based upon it. We conclude by summing up the main advantages of the use of semagrams.