ideograph

[ id-ee-uh-graf, ahy-dee- ]
See synonyms for ideograph on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Rhetoric. an ordinary language term that, within a particular ideology, has developed a loose, flexible, nonspecific use that stands for values and ideas present within that ideology, rather than having a specific, concrete meaning: In the training materials, <leadership> is used as an ideograph to reinforce the military hierarchy.

Origin of ideograph

1
First recorded in 1825–35; ideo- + -graph

Other words from ideograph

  • id·e·o·graph·ic [id-ee-uh-graf-ik, ahy-dee-], /ˌɪd i əˈgræf ɪk, ˌaɪ di-/, id·e·o·graph·i·cal, adjective
  • id·e·o·graph·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • un·id·e·o·graph·ic, adjective
  • un·id·e·o·graph·i·cal, adjective
  • un·id·e·o·graph·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with ideograph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ideograph in a sentence

  • Professor Sayce supported him, strongly inclining toward an alphabetic or linguistic, perhaps ideographic, signification.

    The Swastika | Thomas Wilson
  • It is not so well known, perhaps, that the great number of these ideographic roots carry in them a verbal idea of action.

    Instigations | Ezra Pound
  • We might give it an ideographic value and connect it with da-da and render “abundant in strength”.

    Sumerian Hymns | Frederick Augustus Vanderburgh
  • Other ideographic signs describe him as the “strong and universal ruler.”

  • We might build up an ideographic or glyphic language of signs—the signs being spectra.

    A Trip to Venus | John Munro