Which of these words means the 'study of meaning'?

It is odd, I have heard " don't argue semantics". Meaning nit-picking. Avoiding the real, underlying, reason.

marimargo, etymology

The meaning of a phrase or word can mean different things in different parts of the country. When I was a teen, young man said something to me and I thought he was talking nasty, but where he came from, he was giving me a compliment. Sorry I can't remember what it was from 65 years ago.

As a scientist accuracy and precision are paramount, so people who engage in semantics drive me crazy.

Cookie Bean, are you thinking of "syntax"? Word order.

interesting 🤔