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Words contain multitudes. This multiplicity of meanings raises two key questions, both of which this thesis attempts to address. First, are word meanings categorical or continuous? The results of Chapters 2-4 support a hybrid model, in which word meanings occupy a continuous state-space (Elman, 2009), which is further discretized along the boundaries of distinct senses. And second, does the amount and distribution of homophony in real lexica reflect a pressure to concentrate meanings in the most efficient, optimal wordforms? The results in Chapters 5-7 suggest that homophony can emerge without a direct pressure for efficiency--and further, that real lexica might select "against" homophones, particularly among the most frequent wordforms of a lexicon. This pressure could even explain other properties of human lexica, such as their large phonological neighborhoods. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]