symbolism

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Etymology

From symbol + -ism, sense 2 being a semantic loan from French symbolisme.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm/

Noun

symbolism

1. Representation of a concept through symbols or underlying meanings of objects or qualities. [from between 1645 and 1655.]
2. An art movement originating in late 19th-century France and Belgium, seeking to represent absolute truths symbolically through language and metaphorical images, mainly as a reaction against naturalism and realism.
3. (obsolete) A combining together of parts or ingredients.

Related terms

• symbolic
• symbolist
• symbolize

Translations

• French: symbolisme
• German: Symbolik
• Italian: simbolismo
• Portuguese: simbolismo
• Russian: символи́зм
• Spanish: simbolismo

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