symbols

Noun

symbol (plural symbols)

1. A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
   • "$" is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.
2. A thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, or other thing.
   • The lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
3. A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
4. A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
   • The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols.
5. The numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.
6. (obsolete) That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
   • They do their work in the days of peace […] and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.1651–1653, Jer[emy] Taylor, ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Richard Royston […], published 1655, →OCLC

See all 10 meanings of symbol