symbol
//ˈsɪmbəl//
Forms
- Plural
- symbols
Definitions
1.A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
- Chinese people use word symbols for writing.
2.A thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, or other thing.
- The lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
3.A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
- The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols.
4.A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2780
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From French symbole
From Latin symbolus, symbolum (“a sign, mark, token, symbol, in Late Latin also a creed”)
From Ancient Greek σύμβολον (súmbolon, “a sign by which one infers something; a mark, token, badge, ticket, tally, check, a signal, watchword, outward sign”)