semiotics
[see-mee-ot-iks, sem-ee-, see-mahy-]
- the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing.
- a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.
Origin of semiotics
semiotic
[see-mee-ot-ik, sem-ee, see-mahy-]
- of or relating to signs.
- of or relating to semiotics.
- Medicine/Medical. of or relating to symptoms; symptomatic.
Origin of semiotic
1615–20; (def 3) < Greek sēmeiōtikós significant, equivalent to sēmeiō-, verbid stem of sēmeioûn to interpret as a sign (derivative of Greek sēmeîon sign) + -tikos -tic; (def 4) < Greek sēmeiōtikḗ, noun use of feminine of sēmeiōtikós, adapted by John Locke (on the model of Greek logikḗ logic, etc.; see -ic) to mean “the doctrine of signs”; (defs 1, 2) based on Locke's coinage or a reanalysis of the Gk word
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for semiotics
Contemporary Examples
I resisted the then-loud siren song of Semiotics at Brown, and studied English instead.
So far, the semiotics out of Copenhagen Chic have split into (melting) poles.
Historical Examples
His semiotics is the result of the fundamental pragmatic philosophy he developed.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
To people attuned to semiotics, the ad was a powerful visual device.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
semiotics
semeiotics
- the study of signs and symbols, esp the relations between written or spoken signs and their referents in the physical world or the world of ideasSee also semantics, syntactics, pragmatics
- the scientific study of the symptoms of disease; symptomatology
Also: semiology, semeiology
semiotic
semeiotic
- relating to signs and symbols, esp spoken or written signs
- relating to semiotics
- of, relating to, or resembling the symptoms of disease; symptomatic
Word Origin
C17: from Greek sēmeiōtikos taking note of signs, from sēmeion a sign
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for semiotics
semiotic
adj.
1620s, "of symptoms, relating to signs of diseases," from Greek semeiotikos "significant," also "observant of signs," adjective form of semeiosis "indication," from semeioun "to signal, to interpret a sign," from semeion "a sign, mark, token," from sema "sign" (see semantic). Its use in psychology dates to 1923. Related: Semiotical (1580s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper