semiotics

[see-mee-ot-iks, sem-ee-, see-mahy-]

See more synonyms for semiotics on Thesaurus.com

noun (used with a singular verb)

the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing.
a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.

Origin of semiotics

First recorded in 1875–80; see origin at semiotic, -ics

Related formsse·mi·o·ti·cian

[see-mee-uh-tish-uh n, sem-ee-, see-mahy-] /ˌsi mi əˈtɪʃ ən, ˌsɛm i-, ˌsi maɪ-/, noun

semiotic

[see-mee-ot-ik, sem-ee, see-mahy-]

adjective Also se·mi·ot·i·cal.

of or relating to signs.
of or relating to semiotics.
Medicine/Medical. of or relating to symptoms; symptomatic.

noun

semiotics.

Origin of semiotic

1615–20; (def 3) < Greek sēmeiōtikós significant, equivalent to sēmeiō-, verbid stem of sēmeioûn to interpret as a sign (derivative of Greek sēmeîon sign) + -tikos -tic; (def 4) < Greek sēmeiōtikḗ, noun use of feminine of sēmeiōtikós, adapted by John Locke (on the model of Greek logikḗ logic, etc.; see -ic) to mean “the doctrine of signs”; (defs 1, 2) based on Locke's coinage or a reanalysis of the Gk word

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for semiotics

symbolism, parole, semantics, pragmatics, langue, syntactics

Examples from the Web for semiotics

Contemporary Examples of semiotics

I resisted the then-loud siren song of Semiotics at Brown, and studied English instead.
How I Write: Meg Wolitzer
Noah Charney
March 26, 2014
So far, the semiotics out of Copenhagen Chic have split into (melting) poles.
Copenhagen Chic: 'Style' at the Climate Summit
Rebecca Dana
December 16, 2009

Historical Examples of semiotics

His semiotics is the result of the fundamental pragmatic philosophy he developed.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
To people attuned to semiotics, the ad was a powerful visual device.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for semiotics

semiotics

semeiotics

noun (functioning as singular)

the study of signs and symbols, esp the relations between written or spoken signs and their referents in the physical world or the world of ideasSee also semantics, syntactics, pragmatics
the scientific study of the symptoms of disease; symptomatology

Also: semiology, semeiology

semiotic

semeiotic

adjective

relating to signs and symbols, esp spoken or written signs
relating to semiotics
of, relating to, or resembling the symptoms of disease; symptomatic

Word Origin for semiotic

C17: from Greek sēmeiōtikos taking note of signs, from sēmeion a sign

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

Word Origin and History for semiotics

study of signs and symbols with special regard to function and origin, 1880, from semiotic; also see -ics. Medical sense is from 1660s.

semiotic

adj.

1620s, "of symptoms, relating to signs of diseases," from Greek semeiotikos "significant," also "observant of signs," adjective form of semeiosis "indication," from semeioun "to signal, to interpret a sign," from semeion "a sign, mark, token," from sema "sign" (see semantic). Its use in psychology dates to 1923. Related: Semiotical (1580s).