symbol (ˈsɪmbəll
)
Definitions
noun
- something that represents or stands for something else, usually by convention or association, esp a material object used to represent something abstract
- an object, person, idea, etc, used in a literary work, film, etc, to stand for or suggest something else with which it is associated either explicitly or in some more subtle way
- a letter, figure, or sign used in mathematics, science, music, etc to represent a quantity, phenomenon, operation, function, etc
- psychoanalysis the end product, in the form of an object or act, of a conflict in the unconscious between repression processes and the actions and thoughts being repressed ⇒
the symbols of dreams
- psychology any mental process that represents some feature of external reality
verb
- (tr) another word for symbolize
Word Origin
C15: from Church Latin symbolum, from Greek sumbolon sign, from sumballein to throw together, from syn- + ballein to throwTranslations
- British English:
symbol
A symbol of something such as an idea is a shape or design that is used to represent it.A dove is a symbol of peace.ˈsɪmbl NOUN A dove is a symbol of peace.
- Spanish:
símbolo
nm
- French:
symbole
nm
- German:
Symbol
nnt
- Chinese: 象征 n
- Arabic: رَمْز n
- Portuguese: símbolo nm
- Russian: символ nm
- Croatian: simbol nm
- Czech: symbol nm
- Danish: symbol nnt
- Dutch: symbool nnt
- Finnish: symboli n
- Greek: σύμβολο nnt
- Italian: simbolo nm
- Japanese: 象徴 n
- Korean: 상징 n
- Norwegian: symbol nnt
- Polish: symbol nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: símbolo nm
- European Spanish:
símbolo
nm
- Swedish: symbol nutr
- Thai: สัญญลักษณ์ n
- Turkish: sembol n
- Vietnamese: biểu tượng n
Usage examples
And yet she saw Mrs Tennant as a symbol of what was expected of her, of the relentless pressure of social Washington.
, The Ambassador's Women (1986)Some observers believe that Putin might like to leave the canal as a lasting symbol of his Presidency.
New Scientist (2004)Suddenly, cellphones were no longer exotic, no longer elite, no longer a status symbol or an emblem of contempt.
Globe and Mail (2003)Even Iraq, the last state symbol of defiance to the'Great Satan ' of America, may choose pragmatism over suicide.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Another good old Goddess symbol , sacred from Britain to Athens.
, A WITCH ALONE (2002)