symbol
/ˈsɪm.bəl/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
symbolon — token, watchword, sign, ticket of identification
Overview
Meaning Now
- A mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process.
- A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.
Literal older meaning
token of recognition
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
symbole
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The word originated from the custom of breaking a piece of pottery or coin in two and giving the halves to two parties. When the pieces were 'thrown together' (sym-ballein), they verified the identity of a guest or messenger.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek (c. 5th century BC)
symbolon
“a token consisting of one of two halves of an object given to two parties to prove identity”
Literally 'thrown together'.
- Latin (Late Antiquity)
symbolum
“creed, mark, token”
Used in ecclesiastical contexts to refer to the Creed.
- Middle French (14th century)
symbole
“emblem, sign”
- Early Modern English (16th century)
symbol
“an emblem or representation”
Connections
Word parts
sym-
prefix
together
-bol
root
to throw
Related across languages
French
symbole
symbol
German
symbol
Spanish
símbolo
symbol
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Related to symbol
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.