symbolic
[sim-
bol
-ik]
/sɪmˈbɒl ɪk/
adjective
1.
serving as a
symbol
of something (often followed by
of
).
2.
of, pertaining to, or expressed by a
symbol
.
3.
characterized by or involving the use of
symbols
:
a highly symbolic poem.
4.
(in semantics, especially formerly) pertaining to a class of words that express only relations.
Compare
notional
(def 7).
5.
Computers.
expressed in characters, usually nonnumeric, that require translation before they can be used (opposed to
absolute
).
Also,
symbolical
(for defs 1–4).
Origin
1650-60;
<
Late Latin
symbolicus
<
Greek
symbolikós.
See
symbol
,
-ic
Related forms
symbolically,
adverb
symbolicalness,
noun
nonsymbolic,
adjective
nonsymbolical,
adjective
nonsymbolically,
adverb
nonsymbolicalness,
noun
unsymbolic,
adjective
unsymbolical,
adjective
unsymbolically,
adverb
Examples from the web for
symbolic
And there is a joy in perceiving the representative or
symbolic
character of a fact, which no bare fact or event can ever give.
Since it was devoid of
symbolic
importance, he explained, it would not become a political time bomb.
Everything about the poem is charged with
symbolic
resonance.
Memorials can include explicit or
symbolic
physical features.
The reality of moves in that state are largely
symbolic
.
Oak trees have a long
symbolic
history within the military.
Having authored books about the
symbolic
use of color in different cultures, they decided to bring their research home.
It's a
symbolic
declaration that physical photographs are dead and should literally be buried.
On the
symbolic
end, officials think they should be able to control property that the city clearly and legally owns.
Let's consider the
symbolic
weight of this particular pie as well as the general weight of seemingly meaningless acts of protest.
British Dictionary definitions for
symbolic
symbolic
/
sɪmˈbɒlɪk
/
adjective
1.
of or relating to a symbol or symbols
2.
serving as a symbol
3.
characterized by the use of symbols or symbolism
Derived Forms
symbolically,
adverb
symbolicalness,
noun
Word Origin and History for
symbolic
adj.
c.1600 (implied in
symbolically
); see
symbol
+
-ic
.