Define 'denotation'.

• A. The emotional tone of a word.
• B. The literal, dictionary meaning of a word.
• C. The usage frequency of a word.
• D. The connotation.

Answer: (B)

Denotation is the literal, dictionary meaning of a word—the basic thing it names or refers to in a straightforward, objective sense. It stays constant across contexts and doesn’t include feelings or associations. For example, the word rose denotes a specific flowering plant; any deeper ideas about romance or beauty come from its connotations, not from the denotation. The emotional tone described in some choices relates to connotation, not the literal meaning. Likewise, how often a word is used reflects usage frequency, not its dictionary definition. So the denotation is the direct, dictionary-defined meaning of the word.