Identify the polysemous word from the following—

Appeared in: DSSSB 6 September 2024

Explanation

A polysemous word, or 'Anekarthi Shabd' in Hindi, is a word that has several different meanings.
The word 'Ankur' (अंकुर) is a classic example of a polysemous word in Hindi.
Its most common meaning is a 'sprout' or 'shoot' of a plant.
In different literary and classical contexts, 'Ankur' can also refer to a tip or point, body hair, blood, or even water, making it the correct choice.

Option A: This is not a standard or commonly recognized word in Hindi vocabulary and is not known to be polysemous.
Option B: This word relates to 'Avastha' (अवस्था), which consistently means a 'state,' 'condition,' or 'phase.' It does not have multiple distinct and unrelated meanings.
Option D: This word primarily means a 'goad' (a tool to guide elephants) and metaphorically means 'control' or 'restraint.' While it has a literal and a figurative sense, it does not possess the wide range of distinct meanings that 'Ankur' does.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Polysemous Words (Anekarthi Shabd) in Hindi Grammar as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a non-clinical question testing general knowledge and language skills, which are part of the nursing examination syllabus.
Strong language comprehension is essential for clear communication with patients and colleagues, and for accurate documentation.
What if the question asked for a synonym instead of a polysemous word? In that case, you would look for a word with a similar meaning to a given word, not a single word with multiple meanings.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the question. It asks to identify a 'polysemous word' (अनेकार्थी शब्द), which is a word with multiple meanings.
Examine each option one by one.
Recall or determine the meaning(s) of each word. 'Anushth' is likely an incorrect or obscure word. 'Avasth' relates to 'state' or 'condition'. 'Ankush' means 'goad' or 'control'.
Consider the word 'Ankur'. Its primary meaning is 'sprout'. Recall if it has other meanings in different contexts.
Recognize that 'Ankur' also means hair, blood, water, etc., in literary Hindi, making it the word with multiple distinct meanings.
Therefore, select 'Ankur' as the correct polysemous word.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 6 September 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.