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View synonyms for rebus

rebus

[ ree-buhs ]

noun

, plural re·bus·es.
  1. a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables:

    Two gates and a head is a rebus for Gateshead.

  2. a piece of writing containing many such representations.


rebus

/ ˈriːbəs /

noun

  1. a puzzle consisting of pictures representing syllables and words; in such a puzzle the word hear might be represented by H followed by a picture of an ear
  2. a heraldic emblem or device that is a pictorial representation of or pun on the name of the bearer


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Word History and Origins

Origin of rebus1

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin rēbus “by things” (ablative plural of rēs ), in phrase nōn verbīs sed rēbus “not by words but by things”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of rebus1

C17: from French rébus , from the Latin rēbus by things, from res

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Example Sentences

General conceptions formed without this thorough knowledge, are Bacon's "notiones temer rebus abstract."

It is a building of red brick having on the top a lion, the rebus of the founder's name.

Removere debemus ego a rebus magnis (Bengel): there are things too great to allow the intrusion of self.

Annales & Historiæ de rebus Belgicis, ab obitu Philippi regis usque ad inducias anni 1609.

The Major chuckled, and admitted this might be so; his old governor used to say, "Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines."

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[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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