symbolism

[ sim-buh-liz-uh m ]
/ ˈsɪm bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.
a set or system of symbols.
symbolic meaning or character.
the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature.
(initial capital letter) a movement of the late 19th century in French art and literature. Compare symbolist(defs 3b, 4b).
the use of any of certain special figures or marks of identification to signify a religious message or divine being, as the cross for Christ and the Christian faith.

Origin of symbolism

First recorded in 1645–55; symbol + -ism

Example sentences from the Web for symbolism

British Dictionary definitions for symbolism

symbolism
/ (ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something
a system of symbols or symbolic representation
a symbolic significance or quality
(often capital) a late 19th-century movement in art that sought to express mystical or abstract ideas through the symbolic use of images See also synthetism
theol any symbolist interpretation of the Eucharist

Medical definitions for symbolism

symbolism
[ sĭmbə-lĭz′əm ]

n.

A mental state in which everything that happens is regarded by the individual as symbolic of his or her own thoughts.
The disguised representation in conscious thought of unconscious or repressed contents or events.