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symbols

[sim-buhl]

Example Sentences Origin

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noun

something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.

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.

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.

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verb (used with object)

to symbolize.

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Symbols is always a great word to know.

So is quincunx. Does it mean:

a fool or simpleton; ninny.

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

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Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin symbolum < Greek sýmbolon sign, equivalent to sym- sym- + -bolon, neuter for bolḗ (feminine) a throw

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To symbols

Example Sentences

The profusion of symbols is everywhere: in ever-obliging male silhouettes that indicate the location of the nearest.

Conjugate will have to explain his chess pieces and other symbols.

Just as the armed forces ration medals, firms ration the distribution of conspicuous symbols of corporate status.

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The profusion of symbols is everywhere: in ever-obliging male silhouettes that indicate the location of the nearest.

Conjugate will have to explain his chess pieces and other symbols.

Just as the armed forces ration medals, firms ration the distribution of conspicuous symbols of corporate status.

Flags, songs, and other cultural symbols are used to identify nations.

Although some of the symbols on the periodic table may seem strange, they all.

Though diamonds are nothing more than carbon crystals, the sparkly rocks have been idolized as symbols of wealth and power for.

Instead of spaces between the words, insert symbols and numbers.

More than that, they say, the inscribed scenes and symbols bear a strong resemblance to later hieroglyphs.

Otherwise, to use other symbols that don't show up on.

Some stand a metre and a half from base to wick, their white paraffin wax decorated with religious symbols.

Explore remarkable photos of ancient artifacts and symbols and read about their significance to civilizations.

The experimenters did explain why they used words instead of symbols.

But, for us, they're prized as symbols of activism and engagement.

Imagine a world hidden in the midst of our own, one in which you notice clues and symbols that elude you in your everyday life.

The wonder of mathematics is that it captures precisely in a few symbols what can only be described clumsily with many words.

It may be a effective tactic, to deny reformers symbols to rally about.

On one side of the street were abandoned houses with faded symbols in blue spray paint noting when.

Use symbols to identify other features on the contour map of your area.

One group was taught using generic symbols such as circles and diamonds.

Ceramic noblemen vanished, however, except as symbols of outdated exploitation.

The trick here is that you have to train yourself to count symbols instead of interpreting all white spaces as separators.

Remember to use the same symbols for different parameters in other parts of the proposal.

Yet except for the flags and symbols left from that era, such dreams have been long forgotten.

Asiatic lions have long adorned currency and coats of arms as symbols of nations and nobility.

These patricians don't need gaudy symbols to advertise their wealth.

But these symbols of status had been effectively erased by municipal neglect.

These are six sided dice and have symbols for the various types of units in the game.

Yellow symbols on a white background might as well be written in invisible ink.

Currencies are national virility symbols and sterling is sagging.

Graduated symbols are also great because you can use them to catch the reader's attention with cleverly chosen symbols.

The atomic symbols on the puzzle page are all you need to fill in the highlighted squares.

Since they are abstract symbols they seem to be communications.

The cards are pretty nice quality, with black backgrounds and shiny gold symbols on them.

Those models are made of words and symbols which, by their nature, can be intimidating.

Sometimes, they have responded by changing their ticker symbols.

Discuss patterns revealed by the symbols on the students' maps.

Scientists set up an avian casino in which pigeons could place their bets on one of two symbols.

However the star symbols are not labeled this time and their locations must be discovered.

Especially if the only tattoos one can have are blood-dripping, vile symbols of gang affiliation.

The internet makes it increasingly easy for them to copy the colours, symbols and tattoos of more violent gangs.

Practice drawing these symbols and write a message to a friend.

Chomsky's theory of language as a series of meaningless symbols fit this paradigm.

US brands are symbols of wealth and modernity and freedom.

Please don't lump the innocent nosh in with your other perceived symbols of cosmopolitan snobbery.

Avoiding that danger-the use of holy sites and symbols to justify territorial claims-will be easier said than done.

Understanding the symbols they etched in clay is another matter.

Basically, the spelling is up in the air as it's a transliteration of sounds from a language based on symbols.

Additionally, you can use symbols and diagrams, hyperlinks and images.

He wrote that math symbols add nothing to the understanding of economics.

The priest draws sacred symbols in the dust with cornmeal, and rum is poured on the ground to honor the spirits.

These symbols are important, but they should not take away focus from what they symbolize.

The symbols of commitment among today's radical youth are no longer guns and beards but pious conduct and knowledge of scripture.

Include a map key if students use symbols and other information.

Another is that poor language skills are easier to overcome when studying abstract symbols.

They are looking for common symbols with which to identify”.

Next to the country names they should draw or write symbols for the corresponding company or companies.

The architect protested that offices are status symbols for faculty members, which of course is understandable.

The main roads, for example, are muddy potholed tracks that are symbols of the region's decay and neglect.

Ask them to describe the symbols the map uses to show what the weather is like.

Every trading strategy draws upon a model, even if it is not expressed in mathematical symbols.

Palm leaves, called fronds, are traditional symbols in many religions.

Those imprudent ancestors have become symbols for mankind's short-sighted carelessness with his environment.

Then have groups take turns testing each other by identifying symbols on the maps and pointing out where north is on each one.

Yet this remarkably preserved woman was buried with symbols of power.

Andean textile artists use ancient symbols to represent the geographic landscape in their creations.

COLLAPSE

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

symbol

c.1434, "creed, summary, religious belief," from L.L. symbolum "creed, token, mark," from Gk. symbolon "token, watchword" (applied c.250 by Cyprian of Carthage to the Apostles' Creed, on the notion of the "mark" that distinguishes Christians from pagans), lit. "that which is thrown or cast together,"

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from syn- "together" + bole "a throwing, a casting, the stroke of a missile, bolt, beam," from bol-, nom. stem of ballein "to throw" (see ballistics). The sense evolution in Gk. is from "throwing things together" to "contrasting" to "comparing" to "token used in comparisons to determine if something is genuine." Hence, "outward sign" of something. The meaning "something which stands for something else" first recorded 1590 (in "Faerie Queene"). Symbolic is attested from 1680.

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

symbol sym·bol (sĭm'bəl)
n.

Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.
A printed or written sign used to represent an operation, an element, a quantity, or a relation, as in mathematics or chemistry.
A conventional sign.

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

symbol

(sĭm'bəl) Pronunciation Key

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A conventional, printed or written figure used to represent an operation, element, quantity, relation, unit of measurement, phenomenon, or descriptor. Also called sign.

American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

symbol definition

Something that represents or suggests something else. Symbols often take the form of words, visual images, or gestures that are used to convey ideas and beliefs. All human cultures use symbols to express the underlying structure of their social systems, to represent ideal cultural characteristics, such as beauty, and to ensure that the culture is passed on to new generations. Symbolic relationships are learned rather than biologically or naturally determined, and each culture has its own symbols.

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grapheme hieroglyphic notation peculiar picture writing symbolize

Matching Quote

"Symbols have one characteristic in common with signs; they point beyond themselves to something else. The red sign at the street corner points to the order to stop the movements of cars at certain intervals. A red light and the stopping of cars have essentially no relation to each other, but conventionally they are united as long as the convention lasts. The same is true of letters and numbers and partly even words. They point beyond themselves to sounds and meanings. They are given this special function by convention within a nation or by international conventions, as mathematical signs. Sometimes such signs are called symbols; but this is unfortunate because it makes the distinction between signs and symbols more difficult. Decisive is the fact that signs do not participate in the reality of that to which they point, while symbols do. Therefore, signs can be replaced for reasons of expediency or convention, while symbols cannot."

-Paul Tillich

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