rebus

[ree-buhs]

noun

plural

rebuses 

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

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebus¹

C17: from French rébus , from the Latin rēbus by things, from _res

Related Words

• conundrum 
• enigma 
• problem 
• question 
• riddle 
• secrecy 
• subtlety 
• thriller