Formation of mutational semantic classes of verbs with the prefix "от-" in the Russian language of the pre-national period (11th–17th centuries)

The article is devoted to the issues of the formation and development of mutation semantic classes "Deprivation of functions," "Avoidance," and "Self-defense" of verbs with the prefix от- in the history of the Russian language during the pre-national period. The object of the study is derivatives with the prefix от-, which have the meanings of 'deprivation of functions,' 'avoidance,' and 'self-defense.' The subject of the research is the mechanisms of developing polyfunctional situations within the framework of verbal word formation mutation. The history of the emergence of primary (spatial) and secondary (modificational and mutational) meanings in prefixes is examined using the verb prefix от- as an example. Special attention is given to the issues of the emergence of mutation semantic classes "Deprivation of functions," "Avoidance," and "Self-defense": their denotative structure is analyzed, based on which semantic subclasses are distinguished; characteristic features of the word formation mechanisms of these derivatives are studied. The connection of the analyzed mutation semantic classes with the prototypical meaning of separateness of the prefix от- is revealed. The research is conducted within the framework of the cognitive approach. The analyzed lexemes are distributed across semantic classes that are part of a broader non-linear structure – a semantic network. The key methodological tool is the method of polyfunctional analysis by N. B. Lebedeva. The denotative structure of the verbs is studied, revealing the presence of several propositions in their semantics and characterizing the main participants of the situation. The novelty of the work lies in establishing a common origin for those meanings of the prefix от- that are not considered related in the modern language. The focus is on the emergence and denotative structure of mutation semantic classes ("Deprivation of functions," "Avoidance," "Self-defense") and their connection with the original prototypical meaning of separateness. The role of word formation elements in the formation of these mutational meanings is considered. The initial meaning of the separateness of the prefix от- is realized differently depending on the semantic class: as the separation of the Subject from a normal physiological state (in the class "Deprivation of functions") or as the separation of the Agent from the influence of the Causator (in the classes "Avoidance" and "Self-defense"). It is particularly emphasized that new meanings of the prefix are formed under the influence of three factors: the semantics of the verbal base, context, and the presence of animacy of the Subject.