symbol
part of speech
noun (symbol, symbols)
meaning for a pupil
1) A symbol is a sign, shape or picture that stands for something else: + means add, a red heart means love. tree →
2) A symbol can be an object or idea that represents something bigger: the dove is a symbol of peace. tree →
3) In science, a chemical symbol is the short letter name for an element: O for oxygen. tree →
sense in the lessons
Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah and its commentators often see letters, numbers and objects as symbols of deeper divine truths, such as balance, wind and the Ten Sefirot. Jeremiah uses the word for idol signs, saying the people's altars and Asherim are like symbols of their children, which the tradition reads as a rebuke of idol worship. In the primary lessons: In maths, symbols are everywhere: +, −, ×, ÷, =, <, >, %, π, and letters standing for unknown numbers. In science, chemical symbols (H, O, Fe) and map symbols; in geography, map keys explain symbols (a cross for a church, blue lines for rivers). In safety, warning symbols show danger: a skull for poison, a flame for flammable, a lightning bolt for electricity. In stories, symbols carry hidden meaning. Phrases: a symbol of, stands for, map symbol, chemical symbol, warning symbol.
examples
- Elsewhere in the SY, the ‘tongue’ (or ‘wedge’) appears as the symbol of a central balance between two extremities, e.g. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
- Wind is of course the herald of the storm, the Biblical symbol par excellence of the divine theophany, making wind a potent symbol of divine imminence. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
- or does exist outside of Himself ; His substance is the foundation of all, and all things bear His imprint and are symbols of His intelligence." (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
- Like the symbols of their sons are their altars, and their Asherim are by the leafy trees, upon the high hills. (Prophets JER.17.2, JPS 1917) tree →
- The symbol + means add. tree →
- The < symbol means «less than»: 3 < 5. tree →
- On the map, a blue P is the symbol for parking. tree →
- A skull and crossbones is a symbol for poison. tree →
- The dove is a symbol of peace. tree →
- The chemical symbol for gold is Au. tree →
- The maple leaf is a symbol of Canada. tree →
- Look at the key to find out what each symbol means. tree →
- Thus running up the hillside, his teeth chattering all the way, he drew near to Inyan, the sacred symbol. tree →
note
Countable: symbols. Do not confuse with «cymbal», a brass musical instrument — they sound the same. Maths trap: the small end of < or > points to the smaller number. Adjective: symbolic; verb: symbolise (UK) / symbolize (US).
In the corpora
- Like the symbols of their sons are their altars, and their Asherim are by the leafy trees, upon the high hills.
- Warning symbols on bottles show if a product is corrosive, toxic, flammable or harmful.
- Warning signs on a bottle, like a hazard symbol, mean the product can harm you.
- The sunflower is Ukraine's national flower and became a symbol of support and hope around the world.
- The dove and the olive branch became symbols of peace and new beginnings.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «symbol» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.