iconology

[ ahy-kuh-nol-uh-jee ]

noun
  1. the historical analysis and interpretive study of symbols or images and their contextual significance; iconography.

  2. the study of icons or symbolic representations.

Origin of iconology

1
First recorded in 1720–30; icono- + -logy

Other words from iconology

  • i·con·o·log·i·cal [ahy-kon-l-oj-i-kuhl, ahy-kuh-nl-], /aɪˌkɒn lˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl, ˌaɪ kə nl-/, adjective
  • i·co·nol·o·gist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for iconology

iconology

/ (ˌaɪkɒˈnɒlədʒɪ) /


noun
  1. the study or field of art history concerning icons

  2. icons collectively

  1. the symbolic representation or symbolism of icons

Derived forms of iconology

  • iconological (aɪˌkɒnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective
  • iconologist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012