symbol

Definition

A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.

Etymology

From French symbole, from Latin symbolus, symbolum (“a sign, mark, token, symbol, in Late Latin also a creed”), from Ancient Greek σύμβολον (súmbolon, “a sign by which one infers something; a mark, token, badge, ticket, tally, check, a signal, watchword, outward sign”), from συμβάλλω (sumbállō, “I throw together, dash together, compare, correspond, tally, come to a conclusion”), from σύν (sún, “with, together”) + βάλλω (bállō, “I throw, put”).

Example Sentences

• ""$" is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries."
• "Chinese people use word symbols for writing."
• "The lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience."

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