Question

the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word *
claim
connotative
counterclaim
credibility
denotative

Explanation:

• Claim: Refers to a statement of assertion, not the direct meaning of a word.
• Connotative: Relates to the associated or implied meanings (emotional, cultural, etc.) rather than the explicit one.
• Counterclaim: A claim made to rebut another claim, not about word meaning.
• Credibility: Concerns the believability of something, not word - meaning definition.
• Denotative: By definition, it is the explicit or direct meaning of a word.

Answer:

denotative