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semiotics - 5 dictionary results

se⋅mi⋅ot⋅ics

[see-mee-ot-iks, sem-ee-, see-mahy-]
–noun (used with a singular verb)
1. the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing.
2. a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.

Origin:
1875–80; see semiotic, -ics


se⋅mi⋅o⋅ti⋅cian [see-mee-uh-tish-uhn, sem-ee-, see-mahy-] , noun

se⋅mi⋅ot⋅ic

[see-mee-ot-ik, sem-ee, see-mahy-]
–adjective Also, se⋅mi⋅ot⋅i⋅cal.
1. of or pertaining to signs.
2. of or pertaining to semiotics.
3. Medicine/Medical. of or pertaining to symptoms; symptomatic.
–noun
4. semiotics.

Origin:
1615–20; (def. 3) < Gk sēmeiōtikós significant, equiv. to sēmeiō-, verbid s. of sēmeioûn to interpret as a sign (deriv. of Gk sēmeîon sign) + -tikos -tic; (def. 4) < Gk sēmeiōtik, n. use of fem. of sēmeiōtikós, adapted by John Locke (on the model of Gk logik logic, etc.; see -ic ) to mean “the doctrine of signs”; (defs. 1, 2) based on Locke's coinage or a reanalysis of the Gk word
se·mi·ot·ics also se·mei·ot·ics   (sē'mē-ŏt'ĭks, sěm'ē-, sē'mī-)   
n.   (used with a sing. verb)
The theory and study of signs and symbols, especially as elements of language or other systems of communication, and comprising semantics, syntactics, and pragmatics.
se'mi·o·ti'cian (-ə-tĭsh'ən) n.

Semiotics

Se`mi*ot"ics\, n. Same as Semeiotics.

semiotics 
study of signs and symbols with special regard to function and origin, 1880, from Gk. semeiotikos "observant of signs," adj. form of semeiosis "indication," from semeioun "to signal," from sema "sign."
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