| denotatum |
| Definition:
The existing entity that the linguistic expression labels. Note: As opposed to the designatum , which is any object or class of objects whether existing or not that the linguistic expression labels. |
| Example: The class of objects we call horses is both a denotatum and a designatum. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Latin denotatum, the neuter past participle of denotare, to denote. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first citation is from 1938: "Where what is referred to actually exists as referred to[,] the object of reference is a denotatum. It thus becomes clear that, while every sign has a designatum, not every sign has a denotatum …." (C. W. Morris in Internat. Encycl. Unified Sci. I. 83) |