SYMBOLIC

emblematic, emblematical, symbolic, symbolical

(adjective) serving as a visible symbol for something abstract; “a crown is emblematic of royalty”; “the spinning wheel was as symbolic of colonical Massachusetts as the codfish”

symbolic, symbolical

(adjective) relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols; “symbolic logic”; “symbolic operations”; “symbolic thinking”

symbolic

(adjective) using symbolism; “symbolic art”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

symbolic (comparative more symbolic, superlative most symbolic)

Pertaining to a symbol.

Implicitly representing or referring to another thing.

Source: Wiktionary

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Sym*bol"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. F. symbolique. See Symbolic, a.] (Theol.)

Definition: See Symbolics.

Sym*bol"ic, Sym*bol"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. symbolicus, Gr. symbolique.]

Definition: Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs; representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge.

– Sym*bol"ic*al*ly, adv.

– Sym*bol"ic*al*ness, n. The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed. Jer. Taylor. Symbolical delivery (Law), the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol, token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty.

– Symbolical philosophy, the philosophy expressed by hieroglyphics.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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