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symbolize - 5 dictionary results

sym⋅bol⋅ize

  [sim-buh-lahyz] verb, -ized, -iz⋅ing.
Use symbolize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to be a symbol of; stand for or represent in the manner of a symbol.
2. to represent by a symbol or symbols.
3. to regard or treat as symbolic.
–verb (used without object)
4. to use symbols.
Also, especially British, sym⋅bol⋅ise.

Origin:
1580–90; < NL symbolizāre. See symbol, -ize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To symbolize
sym·bol·ize   (sĭm'bə-līz')   
v.   sym·bol·ized, sym·bol·iz·ing, sym·bol·iz·es

v.   tr.
  1. To serve as a symbol of: "Munich, the 1938 Hitler-Chamberlain meeting that now symbolizes the idea of appeasement" (Jonathan Alter).
  2. To represent or identify by a symbol.
v.   intr.
To use symbols.
sym'bol·i·za'tion (-bə-lĭ-zā'shən) n., sym'bol·iz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Symbolize

Sym"bol*ize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Symbolized; p. pr. & vb. n. Symbolizing.] [Cf. F. symboliser.]

1. To have a resemblance of qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize.

The pleasing of color symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with harmony. --Bacon.

They both symbolize in this, that they love to look upon themselves through multiplying glasses. --Howell.

2. To hold the same faith; to agree. [R.]

The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized with the performers of them. --G. S. Faber.

3. To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically.

Symbolize

Sym"bol*ize\, v. t. 1. To make to agree in properties or qualities.

2. To make representative of something; to regard or treat as symbolic. "Some symbolize the same from the mystery of its colors." --Sir T. Browne.

3. To represent by a symbol or symbols.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : symbolize
Spanish: simbolizar,
German: symbolisieren,
Japanese: 象徴する
More Translations »

Main Entry: sym·bol·ize
Variant: also British sym·bol·ise /'sim-b&-"lIz/
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms:-ized also British -ised; -iz·ing also British -is·ing
1 : to serve as a symbol of
2 : torepresent, express, or identify by a symbol
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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