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symbols - 3 dictionary results
sym⋅bol
[sim-buh
l] 
noun, verb, -boled, -bol⋅ing or (especially British) -bolled, -bol⋅ling.–noun
| 1. | something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign. |
| 2. | a letter, figure, or other character or mark or a combination of letters or the like used to designate something: the algebraic symbol x; the chemical symbol Au. |
| 3. | a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complex of associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separable from that which is symbolized, as being part of that which is symbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for or representing that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving its meaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generally distinguished from a sign. |
–verb (used with object)
| 4. | to symbolize. |
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L symbolum < Gk sýmbolon sign, equiv. to sym- sym- + -bolon, neut. for bol
(fem.) a throw
1400–50; late ME < L symbolum < Gk sýmbolon sign, equiv. to sym- sym- + -bolon, neut. for bol
(fem.) a throw
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
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Link To symbols
sym·bol (sĭm'bəl)  (click for larger image in new window) n.
To symbolize. [Middle English symbole, creed, from Old French, from Latin symbolum, token, mark, from Greek sumbolon, token for identification (by comparison with a counterpart) : sun-, syn- + ballein, to throw; see gwelə- in Indo-European roots.] |
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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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
symbol (sĭm'bəl) Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) A conventional, printed or written figure used to represent an operation, element, quantity, relation, unit of measurement, phenomenon, or descriptor. Also called sign. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
