Amelioration
A process of semantic change in which a word's meaning becomes more positive or prestigious over time. For example, 'lady' originally meant 'female head of household' and acquired positive connotations.
Real World
The word 'terrific' originally meant 'causing terror' in the 18th century, but by the mid-20th century it had ameliorated to mean 'wonderful' — a shift visible in comparing Dickens's usage to modern advertising copy.
Exam Focus
Always state both the earlier negative meaning and the current positive one; vague claims of 'change' without direction lose marks.
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