1. A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another
thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the
symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
A symbol is a sign included in the idea which it represents, e. g., an actual part chosen to represent
the whole, or a lower form or species used as the representative of a higher in the same kind.
Coleridge. 2. (Math.) Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation.
In crystallography, the symbol of a plane is the numerical expression which defines its position relatively
to the assumed axes.
3. (Theol.) An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of
religion.
4. That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty. [Obs.]
They do their work in the days of peace . . . and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.
Jer. Taylor. 5. Share; allotment. [Obs.]
The persons who are to be judged . . . shall all appear to receive their symbol.
Jer. Taylor. 6. (Chem.) An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of
the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na
for sodium Fe for iron Sn for tin Sb for antimony etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element.
In pure and organic chemistry there are symbols not only for the elements, but also for their grouping
in formulas, radicals, or residues, as evidenced by their composition, reactions, synthesis, etc. See the
diagram of Benzene nucleus, under Benzene.
Syn. — Emblem; figure; type. See Emblem.
Symbol
(Sym"bol), v. t. To symbolize. [R.] Tennyson.
Symbolic
(Sym*bol"ic) n. [Cf. F. symbolique. See Symbolic, a.] (Theol.) See Symbolics.
Symbolic
(Sym*bol"ic Sym*bol"ic*al) a. [L. symbolicus, Gr. symboliko`s: cf. F. symbolique.] Of or
pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or
signs; representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge. — Sym*bol"ic*al*ly,
adv. — Sym*bol"ic*al*ness, n.
The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed.
Jer. Taylor. Symbolical delivery (Law), the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol,
token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty. — Symbolical philosophy, the philosophy expressed
by hieroglyphics.
Symbolics
(Sym*bol"ics) n. The study of ancient symbols; esp. (Theol.), that branch of historic theology
which treats of creeds and confessions of faith; symbolism; — called also symbolic.
Symbolism
(Sym"bol*ism) n.
