semiosis

American  

[see-mee-oh-sis, sem-ee-, see-mahy-] / ˌsi miˈoʊ sɪs, ˌsɛm i-, ˌsi maɪ- /

noun

Semiotics.

1. the process of connecting a sign, the particular use of that sign, and the specific meaning the observer associates with that sign, such as when someone sees a red light as an instruction to stop, or reads the word tree and thinks of a tree.

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Etymology

Origin of semiosis

First recorded in 1905–10; introduced by U.S. philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce; from Greek sēmeíōsis “sign”

Explanation

Semiosis is the process of connecting a meaning to a sign, which is anything that stands for or indicates something. When the traffic light turns green, a driver knows it's time to go. In semiosis, a sign may be an image, an action or event, a sound, or a word. A thumbs-up emoji in response to a text message indicates agreement. An EXIT sign in a theater shows you the way out. If you hear applause, you know that people are appreciating something, but if you hear a siren, you know to watch out because of an emergency. The process of semiosis involves the sign itself, the meaning it carries, and an interpreter who is able to connect the sign to its meaning.

Example Sentences

The semiosis of naming children reflects this condition.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

To see how the practical experience of the market freed itself from language and literacy, let us now examine the market process as semiosis in its various aspects.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

Through language processes paralleled by the semiosis of high gastronomy, truffles enter the market as sign-of a discriminating palate, of snobbery, or of actually knowing why truffles are good.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

In market semiosis, desire proves to be just as important, if not more so, than need.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

"Tell me what you want to buy or sell and I'll tell you who you are," is a concise way of declaring how market semiosis X-rays its participants.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai