symbolic
Saysim-BOL-ik/sɪmˈbɑlɪk/UK/sɪmˈbɒlɪk/
- 1Representing or referring to something else in an implied way rather than directly.
Like a wedding ring, which carries the weight of a promise far beyond its small value in gold.
The empty chair at the table was symbolic of the missing soldier.
Her resignation was largely symbolic, since real power stayed with the board.
Similaremblematic, representative, token, nominal
Oppositeliteral, substantive
- 2Relating to symbols or the use of symbols to convey meaning.
Symbolic logic replaces words with letters and signs to test the form of an argument.
The ancient script combined symbolic characters with sound-based ones.
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Origin
The word came from French symbolique or directly from Latin symbolicus, which came from Ancient Greek symbolikós, meaning 'of or belonging to a symbol'.