FAUNONYMS DOG/HOUND/PUPPY AND CAT/KITTEN IN PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS: ETYMOLOGY, SEMANTICS AND FUNCTIONS

This article examines the etymology, semantics, and functional roles of the English faunonyms "dog", "hound", "puppy", "cat", and "kitten" as the key components of English phraseological units.These faunonyms, which are deeply entrenched in the English lexicon, serve as linguistic reflections of human cultural attitudes and anthropocentric perspectives associated with these animals.The authors of the research investigate the origins of these lexemes, their historical semantic shifts, and their roles in the semantics of phraseological units.Owing to their integration into idiomatic expressions, these faunonyms encapsulate and convey human values, experiences, and societal constructs.The analysis reveals the diverse meanings and functions of the studied faunonyms in their linguistic usage.It has been found that they often express complex ideas related to human behavior, ethical values, and social relationships, reflecting both positive and negative connotations.Their evolution in phraseology demonstrates their versatility since their meanings vary across historical periods and cultural contexts.The study emphasizes their symbolic significance, manifesting how these faunonyms have been employed to illustrate loyalty, status, hardship, and other aspects of human personality and experience.In addition to their role as descriptive elements, the faunonyms in phraseological units often serve as carriers of figurative meaning, revealing the anthropocentric lens through which humans perceive the animal world.Synthesizing