Adjacent Words

Symbolism definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

SYM'BOLISM, n. Among chimists, consent of parts.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a system of symbols and symbolic representations
2: the practice of investing things with symbolic meaning [syn: symbolism, symbolization, symbolisation]
3: an artistic movement in the late 19th century that tried to express abstract or mystical ideas through the symbolic use of images

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1654 1. the art or practice of using symbols especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations: as a. artistic imitation or invention that is a method of revealing or suggesting immaterial, ideal, or otherwise intangible truth or states b. the use of conventional or traditional signs in the representation of divine beings and spirits 2. a system of symbols or representations

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a the use of symbols to represent ideas. b symbols collectively. 2 an artistic and poetic movement or style using symbols and indirect suggestion to express ideas, emotions, etc. Derivatives: symbolist n. symbolistic adj.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Symbolism Sym"bol*ism, n. 1. The act of symbolizing, or the state of being symbolized; as, symbolism in Christian art is the representation of truth, virtues, vices, etc., by emblematic colors, signs, and forms. 2. A system of symbols or representations. 3. (Chem.) (a) The practice of using symbols, or the system of notation developed thereby. (b) A combining together of parts or ingredients. [Obs.] 4. (Theol.) The science of creeds; symbolics.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. Symbolism is the use of symbols in order to represent something. The scene is so rich in symbolism that any explanation risks spoiling the effect. 2. You can refer to the symbolism of an event or action when it seems to show something important about a situation. The symbolism of every gesture will be of vital importance during the short state visit. N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n

Moby Thesaurus

Sabbatarianism, allegory, allusion, anagoge, anagogics, anthroposophy, arcane meaning, assumption, cabala, cabalism, celebration, ceremonialism, charactery, cipher, coloration, connotation, conventional symbol, cult, cultism, cultus, emblem, esotericism, esoterics, esoterism, esotery, father symbol, fertility symbol, figuration, formalism, hint, hocus-pocus, iconology, ideogram, implication, implied meaning, import, inference, innuendo, intimation, ironic suggestion, liturgics, liturgiology, liturgism, logogram, logotype, love knot, meaning, metaphorical sense, mother symbol, mumbo jumbo, mystery, mysticism, mystification, nuance, occult meaning, occultism, overtone, phallic symbol, pictogram, presumption, presupposition, ritualism, rituality, ritualization, sabbatism, sacramentalism, sacramentarianism, solemn observance, solemnization, subsense, subsidiary sense, suggestion, supposition, symbol, symbolic system, symbolics, symbolization, symbology, tinge, token, totem, totem pole, touch, type, typification, undercurrent, undermeaning, undertone, universal symbol, yoga, yogeeism, yogism