The Portuguese New Christians – A Polysemous People? (Part 2)The term polysemy, refers to the ability of a sign, image, or concept (including language) to have more than one interpretation. Did Cristao-novos use a polysemic lexicon as part of their survival mechanism? Were the Portuguese New Christians – A Polysemous People?One example that comes to mind was a prayer that some Cristao-novos recited before entering a Church.Nesta casa entroNao adoro nem o pau nem a pedraSo a Deus que em tudo goveLiterally this means, "I enter into this house, but I worship neither wood nor stone, but God who rules over all." The words for "wood" and "stone," pau and pedra, have a close assonant ring with the names of the gospels - Paul and Peter, thus making the Cristao-novo appear as pious Christians.