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Description
This paper presents contextonym analysis as a hybrid method combining corpus-based techniques and generative artificial (GenAI) tools to support the writing of precise, context-sensitive terminological definitions. Grounded in the Flexible Terminological Definition Approach, this method is based on the premise that definitions should reflect the most relevant conceptual content activated in specific contexts. Contextonyms (frequent surface co-occurrents within a 50-word window) are extracted in word sketch (WS) form in Sketch Engine and help reveal salient semantic features of a target term without relying on predefined syntactic or semantic relations. The paper outlines strategies for interpreting contextonyms, including filtering concordance lines, consulting WSs, and prompting GenAI tools to assist with interpretation. A typology of contextonyms is proposed, along with a case study illustrating how the method supports the creation of domain-specific definitions. By combining corpus data with AI-assisted interpretation, contextonym analysis offers a robust and user-friendly approach to terminological definition writing.
