# symbolic

Pronunciation: say "sim-BOL-ik" US /sɪmˈbɑlɪk/, UK /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/

## Adjective

1. Representing or referring to something else in an implied way rather than directly.
   - Simple: Used to stand for something else instead of being the real thing.
   - _The empty chair at the table was symbolic of the missing soldier._
   - _Her resignation was largely symbolic, since real power stayed with the board._
2. Relating to symbols or the use of symbols to convey meaning.
   - Simple: Relating to symbols and the way they carry 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._

## 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'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/symbolic (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).