《语文学习》1981年第6期刊载了两篇关于《花城》的质疑和答复的文章,涉及的问题之一是“花卉”一词。秦牧同志说:“词语的应用范围,有时比它的严格定义要广泛些。”这话一点不假。语言发展反映在词义变化过程中的事实,就正表现出了词义与词的使用有时并不是处于绝对等同的关系。诚然,“卉”的本义是“草”。《诗·小雅·出车》:“卉木萋萋”。毛传:“卉,草也。”《尔雅》:“卉,草”。郭璞注:“卉,百草总名。”但是,到《现代汉语词典》;其解释却是:“卉;各种草(多指供观赏的)的总称。”可见,词义已经有了变化。“多指供观赏的”一语,就对“卉”的含义作了限制。花,是被子植物的生殖器官。但,人们平时所说的花,实际上多数是指能开花以供观赏的植 The sixth issue of “Language Learning” in 1981 contained two articles on “Huacheng”’s questions and answers. One of the problems involved was the word “flower.” Comrade Qin Mu said: “The scope of application of words is sometimes more extensive than its strict definition.” This is true. The fact that language development is reflected in the process of word meaning change shows that the use of word meaning and word is not always in absolute equality. It is true that the original meaning of “hui” is “grass.” “Poetry Xiaoya out of the car”: “Willow flowers.” Mao Chuan: “Flowers, grass also.” “Er Ya”: “Flower, grass.” Guo Yan Note: “Flowers, a hundred grass total name.” However, to the “Modern Chinese Dictionary”; its explanation is: “Flowers; all kinds of grass (multiple refers to the viewing) of the general term.” Visible, meaning has changed . The phrase “more for viewing” limits the meaning of “hui”. Flowers are the reproductive organs of angiosperms. However, what people usually say about flowers actually refers mostly to plants that can be flowered for viewing.