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With regard to special lexicology the synchronic approach is
concerned with the vocabulary of a language as it exists at a
certain time (e.g., a course in Modern English Lexicology). The
diachronic approach in terms of special lexicology deals with the
changes and the development of the vocabulary in the course of
time. It is special historical lexicology that deals with the evolution
of vocabulary units as time goes by.
Vocabulary studies include such aspects of research as
etymology, semasiology and onomasiology.
The evolution of a vocabulary forms the object of historical
lexicology or etymology (from Gr. etymon “true, real”),
discussing the origin of various words, their change and
development, examining the linguistic and extra-linguistic forces
that modify their structure, meaning and usage.
Semasiology (from Gr. semasia “signification”) is a
branch of linguistics whose subject-matter is the study of word
meaning and the classification of changes in the signification of
words or forms, viewed as normal and vital factors of any
linguistic development. It is the most relevant to polysemy and
homonymy.
Onomasiology is the study of the principles and regularities
of the signification of things / notions by lexical and lexico-
phraseological means of a given language. It has its special value
in studying dialects, bearing an obvious relevance to synonymity.
Praseology. It deals with phraseological units.
Lexicography. It is a practical science. It describes the
vocabulary and each lexical unit in the form of dictionaries.
Lexical Morphology. It deals with the morphological
stricture of the word.
Word-formation. It deals with the patterns which are used
in coining new words.

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