browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
symbolic |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Symbolic \Sym*bol"ic\, n. [Cf. F. symbolique See {Symbolic}, a.] (Theol.) See {Symbolics}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Symbolic \Sym*bol"ic\, Symbolical \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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: symbolic adj 1: relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols; "symbolic logic"; "symbolic operations"; "symbolic thinking" [syn: {symbolical}] 2: serving as a visible symbol for something abstract; "a crown is emblematic of royalty"; "the spinning wheel was as symbolic of colonical Massachusetts as the codfish" [syn: {emblematic}, {emblematical}, {symbolical}] 3: using symbolism; "symbolic art" From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]: SYMBOLIC, adj Pertaining to symbols and the use and interpretation of symbols. They say 'tis conscience feels compunction; I hold that that's the stomach's function, For of the sinner I have noted That when he's sinned he's somewhat bloated, Or ill some other ghastly fashion Within that bowel of compassion. True, I believe the only sinner Is he that eats a shabby dinner. You know how Adam with good reason, For eating apples out of season, Was "cursed." But that is all symbolic: The truth is Adam had the colic. G.J. T T, the twentieth letter of the English alphabet, was by the Greeks absurdly called _tau_. In the alphabet whence ours comes it had the form of the rude corkscrew of the period, and when it stood alone (which was more than the Phoenicians could always do) signified _Tallegal_, translated by the learned Dr Brownrigg "tanglefoot."
more about symbolic