symbol
/ˈsɪmb(ə)l
/noun
1A mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process, e.g. the letter or letters standing for a chemical element or a character in musical notation: the symbol r in Figure 5 represents a gene which is ineffective the chemical symbol for helium is He...
- Musical notation for instruments, based on figures, letters, or other symbols instead of conventional staff notation.
- His contributions to algebraic symbolism were in using short Arabic words, or just their initial letters, as mathematical symbols.
- The difficult question is whether this behavior indicates that lexigrams function as symbols or names.
Synonyms
sign, character, mark, letter, hieroglyph, ideogram
1.1A shape or sign used to represent something such as an organization, e.g. a red cross or a Star of David: the Red Cross symbol the Star of David, the Jewish symbol...
- And soldiers who wear a cross or a Star of David must keep the symbols hidden.
- Choose a simple design with mostly satin stitching - large logos, shapes or symbols are ideal.
- Nazi symbols next to stars of David were used in their protests.
Synonyms
logo, emblem, badge, stamp, trademark, crest, insignia, coat of arms, seal, figure, device, rune, logotype, logogram, monogram, hallmark, tag, flag, motto, token, motif, colophon, ideogram
2A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract: the limousine was another symbol of his wealth and authority...
- The wall stood as a grim symbol of the separation of free people and those living under dictatorships.
- His phone was also silver, a top of the range Nokia, a symbol of the material wealth modern young men can accrue if they choose life at sea.
- Material symbols of wealth such as luxury goods, expensive cars, and exclusive shops are visible everywhere.
Synonyms
emblem, token, sign, representation, figure, image, type;
metaphor, allegory
verb (symbols, symbolling, symbolled; US symbols, symboling, symboled) [with object] archaic
Symbolize.The first was symbol of the atonement the 2nd was to symbol the carrying away of sins....
- Craftsmen carved flowers or other patterns symboling good wishes into the doors, adding to the elegance and beauty of the dwellings.
- Nicole bought a silver charm bracelet with two hands on it symboling best friends.
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting the Apostles' Creed): from Latin symbolum 'symbol, Creed (as the mark of a Christian)', from Greek sumbolon 'mark, token', from sun- 'with' + ballein 'to throw'.
This comes from Latin symbolum ‘symbol, creed (as the mark of a Christian)’; it was first used in English to refer to the Apostles' Creed. The source is Greek sumbolon ‘mark, token’. It had come to be used in non-religious senses by the late 16th century.