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rebus
[ ree-buhs ]
/ ˈri bəs /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural re·bus·es.
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.
a piece of writing containing many such representations.
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Origin of rebus
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”
Words nearby rebus
rebrand, rebroadcast, rebuff, rebuild, rebuke, rebus, rebus sic stantibus, rebut, rebuttal, rebutter, rec
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use rebus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rebus
rebus
/ (ˈriːbəs) /
noun plural -buses
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
a heraldic emblem or device that is a pictorial representation of or pun on the name of the bearer
Word Origin for rebus
C17: from French rébus, from the Latin rēbus by things, from res
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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