A discussion of semantic aspects of noun incorporation (NI) in Akwesasne Mohawk, one of six extant Northern Iroquoian languages. Meanings of verb stems with incorporated nouns range from literal referents of transitive action to abstract, non-tangible metaphors. NI is examined as the structural means through which novel semantic units are formed. These units, as part of creative linguistic and conceptual processes, expand the interpretive range of basic meanings. Metaphors are created to fulfill lexical and poetic functions. Data from body part and other semantic domains are presented and analyzed. (Copyright 1992, Sociological Abstracts, Inc., all rights reserved.) (LLBA 1992, vol. 26, n. 3)