Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for rebus

rebus

[ ree-buhs ]

noun

, plural re·bus·es.
  1. a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables:

    Two gates and a head is a rebus for Gateshead.

  2. a piece of writing containing many such representations.


rebus

/ ˈriːbəs /

noun

  1. a puzzle consisting of pictures representing syllables and words; in such a puzzle the word hear might be represented by H followed by a picture of an ear
  2. a heraldic emblem or device that is a pictorial representation of or pun on the name of the bearer
“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


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebus1

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin rēbus “by things” (ablative plural of rēs ), in phrase nōn verbīs sed rēbus “not by words but by things”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebus1

C17: from French rébus , from the Latin rēbus by things, from res
Discover More

Example Sentences

General conceptions formed without this thorough knowledge, are Bacon's "notiones temer rebus abstract."

It is a building of red brick having on the top a lion, the rebus of the founder's name.

Removere debemus ego a rebus magnis (Bengel): there are things too great to allow the intrusion of self.

Annales & Historiæ de rebus Belgicis, ab obitu Philippi regis usque ad inducias anni 1609.

The Major chuckled, and admitted this might be so; his old governor used to say, "Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines."

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


rebukerebus sic stantibus