单选题 The word "lewd'once referred to "ignorant", but now it is used to mean "lustful". This is an example of
[A] narrowing of meaning. [B] widening of meaning.
[C] loss of meaning. [D] meaning shift.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】本题考查语言学中语义变化。语义变化对扩大语言词汇量起到重要的作用。词义的演变可分为三种不同的类型：narrowing of meaning(词义缩小)、widening of meaning(词义扩大)、meaning shift(词义转移)。其中词义转移是演变指单词后的词义和原来的词义不一致的现象。