symbolism

[ sim-buh-liz-uh m ]

/ ˈsɪm bəˌlɪz əm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR symbolism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.

a set or system of symbols.

symbolic meaning or character.

the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature.

(initial capital letter) a movement of the late 19th century in French art and literature.Compare symbolist(defs 3b, 4b).

the use of any of certain special figures or marks of identification to signify a religious message or divine being, as the cross for Christ and the Christian faith.

Words nearby symbolism

symbolic interactionism, symbolic language, symbolic logic, symbolical books, symbolics, symbolism, symbolist, symbolist movement, symbolization, symbolize, symbology

Origin of symbolism

First recorded in 1645–55; symbol + -ism

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

Examples from the Web for symbolism

The fact that he was celebrating another loss for the star-crossed city of Detroit only enhances the symbolism.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But what he did was reasonably brave and freighted with all the symbolism of which he was well aware.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The exhibition also provides useful insight into the importance of symbolism, particularly when it comes to religious painting.
The Virgin Mary Lookbook|William O’Connor|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The move gets an “A” for symbolism and a “D” for everything else.
Sony Blames North Korea for Hacking, but Washington Left Them Completely Vulnerable|Gordon G. Chang|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Some critics complained that his symbolism was obscure and was lost on the audience.
Was the Unabomber a Eugene O’Neill Fan?|Robert M. Dowling|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Indeed the immense extent of symbolism in the Old Testament was the mine of the Fathers.
Churches and Church Ornaments|William Durandus
Back of all the minute detail of wedding custom there is a symbolism.
The Etiquette of To-day|Edith B. Ordway
We must go behind the legend, viewing it only as an allegory, and study its symbolism.
The Symbolism of Freemasonry|Albert G. Mackey
Thus it came that, as we have said, the Comacine Masters were much given to symbolism.
The Cathedral Builders|Leader Scott
In such passages we are still on the level of symbolism, and philosophy only begins when symbolism has been surpassed.
A Critical History of Greek Philosophy|W. T. Stace

British Dictionary definitions for symbolism

symbolism

/ (ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something

a system of symbols or symbolic representation

a symbolic significance or quality

(often capital) a late 19th-century movement in art that sought to express mystical or abstract ideas through the symbolic use of imagesSee also synthetism

theol any symbolist interpretation of the Eucharist

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

Medicine definitions for symbolism

symbolism

[ sĭm′bə-lĭz′əm ]

n.

A mental state in which everything that happens is regarded by the individual as symbolic of his or her own thoughts.

The disguised representation in conscious thought of unconscious or repressed contents or events.

symbolism

noun

Content related to symbolism

Words related to symbolism

Words nearby symbolism

Origin of symbolism

Examples from the Web for symbolism

British Dictionary definitions for symbolism

noun

Medicine definitions for symbolism

n.