Which term refers to the underlying emotional associations of a word?

The term that refers to the underlying emotional associations of a word is connotation. Connotation encompasses the feelings, ideas, or images that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning. For instance, the word "home" not only denotes a physical place where someone lives (denotation) but also carries connotations of warmth, safety, and comfort. Understanding connotations is essential for interpreting language accurately, as words can have positive, negative, or neutral connotations that affect their impact in communication.

Other terms mentioned, like denotation, refer to the explicit, dictionary definition of a word, while context pertains to the circumstances or background surrounding a word or phrase, and implication refers to the suggestion of something not explicitly stated. Connotation, therefore, offers a deeper insight into the emotional or cultural nuances of language.