Connotation
The emotional, cultural, or associative meanings of a word beyond its literal denotation. Connotation involves what a word suggests or implies rather than what it explicitly states.
Real World
Advertising agencies choose 'pre-owned' over 'second-hand' because the connotations of newness and care override the identical denotation — the same logic applies when Blake writes 'dark Satanic Mills' rather than simply 'factories'.
Exam Focus
Always specify the connotation — 'suggesting danger' is stronger than 'having negative connotations'; examiners reward precision.
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