Abstract
The studies reported in this special issue exemplify two approaches to semantic typology and to the study of word meaning more generally. One is an extensional approach, which relates verbs of cutting and breaking to the scenes which they are used to describe. The other focuses on the argument structure of the verbs, the relevant data being the verbs' participation in argument structure alternations. It is encouraging that these very different approaches partition the verbs of material separation in roughly compatible ways. This roundup to the special issue also addresses the interpretation of the naming data, with respect to the notions of prototype and basic level. Attention is drawn to the fact that in general the cut and break verbs seem not to display much taxonomic depth, a finding which is in stark contrast to the often elaborate taxonomies exhibited by nominal concepts.
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