semiotics

[ see-mee-ot-iks, sem-ee-, see-mahy- ]
/ ˌsi miˈɒt ɪks, ˌsɛm i-, ˌsi maɪ- /

noun (used with a singular verb)

the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing.
a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.

Origin of semiotics

First recorded in 1875–80; see origin at semiotic, -ics

OTHER WORDS FROM semiotics

se·mi·o·ti·cian [see-mee-uh-tish-uh n, sem-ee-, see-mahy-] /ˌsi mi əˈtɪʃ ən, ˌsɛm i-, ˌsi maɪ-/, noun

Words nearby semiotics

semiofficial, semiology, semiopaque, semiotic, semiotician, semiotics, semioviparous, semipalatinsk, semipalmate, semipalmated plover, semipalmated sandpiper

British Dictionary definitions for semiotician (1 of 2)

semiotician
/ (ˌsɛmɪəˈtɪʃən) /

noun

a person who studies semiotics

British Dictionary definitions for semiotician (2 of 2)

semiotics

semeiotics

/ (ˌsɛmɪˈɒtɪks, ˌsiːmɪ-) /

noun (functioning as singular)

the study of signs and symbols, esp the relations between written or spoken signs and their referents in the physical world or the world of ideas See also semantics, syntactics, pragmatics
the scientific study of the symptoms of disease; symptomatology
Also: semiology, semeiology