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iconology

American  
[ahy-kuh-nol-uh-jee] / ˌaɪ kəˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

  1. the historical analysis and interpretive study of symbols or images and their contextual significance; iconography.

  2. the study of icons or symbolic representations.

iconology British  
/ aɪˌkɒnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌaɪkɒˈnɒlədʒɪ /

noun

  1. the study or field of art history concerning icons

  2. icons collectively

  3. the symbolic representation or symbolism of icons

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • iconological adjective
  • iconologist noun

Etymology

Origin of iconology

First recorded in 1720–30; icono- + -logy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"We uphold this legacy which merges art, political theatre, religious iconology and socio-political resistance."

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2018

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.