SYMBOLIZE
typify, symbolize, symbolise, stand for, represent
(verb) express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol; “What does the Statue of Liberty symbolize?”
symbolize, symbolise
(verb) represent or identify by using a symbol; use symbols; “The poet symbolizes love in this poem”; “These painters believed that artists should symbolize”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
symbolize (third-person singular simple present symbolizes, present participle symbolizing, simple past and past participle symbolized)
(transitive) To be symbolic of; to represent.
(intransitive) To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically.
(intransitive, obsolete) To resemble each other in qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize.
(intransitive, obsolete) To hold the same faith; to agree.
Source: Wiktionary
Sym"bol*ize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Symbolized; p. pr. & vb. n.
Symbolizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. symboliser.]
1. To have a resemblance of qualities or properties; to correspond;
to harmonize.
The pleasing of color symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single
tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with
harmony. Bacon.
They both symbolize in this, that they love to look upon themselves
through multiplying glasses. Howell.
2. To hold the same faith; to agree. [R.]
The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized
with the performers of them. G. S. Faber.
3. To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically.
Sym"bol*ize, v. t.
1. To make to agree in properties or qualities.
2. To make representative of something; to regard or treat as
symbolic. "Some symbolize the same from the mystery of its colors."
Sir T. Browne.
3. To represent by a symbol or symbols.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition