symbolic English · revision 15431

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1610|origins=grc σύμβολον}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/ ''(UK)''; /sɪmˈbɑːlɪk/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|symbolique]] or [[la-lat|symbolicus]], or formed from [[symbol]] and [[-ic]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(MWU 2024) from [[grc|συμβολικός|tr=sumbolikós]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|grc|σύμβολον|tr=súmbolon|t=token, sign]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Involving the use of written symbols: 1656 in the OED, the 1650s in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates a sense to 1610.^(MWU 2024) Symbolical is from about 1600.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Having the character of a symbol, serving as a sign, is from 1680.^(OED 1989) In mathematics, using a system of symbols, it is from 1846,^(OED 1989) and symbolic logic is attested from 1856.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In art and literature, having the characteristics of symbolism, it is by 1910.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1600 – symbolical.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1656 – using written symbols.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1680 – serving as a symbol.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1856 – symbolic logic.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1910 – in art and literature.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Serving as a [[symbol]]; representing something else.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to or expressed by symbols.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Using [[symbolism]], as in art or literature.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Important for what it represents rather than its actual effect: ''a largely symbolic gesture''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[symbolically]]

+ * [[symbolicalness]]

+ * [[nonsymbolic]]

+ * [[unsymbolic]]

+ * [[symbolical]]

+ * [[symbolics]]

+ * [[symbolic interactionism]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[symbol]]

+ * [[symbolist]]

+ * [[symbology]]

+ * [[symbolistic]]

+ * [[symbolization]]

+ * [[symbolize]]

+ * [[symbolise]]

+ * [[symbolism]]

+ * [[emblem]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}