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rebus Definition

re·bus (rē′bəs)

noun

a kind of puzzle consisting of pictures of objects, signs, letters, etc., the combination of whose names suggests words or phrases a picture of an eye followed by an L followed by an ampersand is a rebus for “island”

Etymology: Fr rébus < L, abl. pl. of res, thing (see real), lit., (meaning indicated) by things

  • rebury
rebus Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • puzzle: Looking for rebus puzzles with answers in the UK?
  • word: All 56 puzzles demand great detective work, rebus word puzzles and each rewards you with a different secret message.
  • principle: Significant changes to the structure would offend the rebus principle.
  • naturalibus: In De rebus naturalibus Zabarella points out that the art of medicine adopts the physiological part from the philosophy of nature.
  • symbol: These materials focus around the story of the nativity and use black and white rebus symbols.
  • writing: This device is known as phonetic transfer or, more commonly, rebus writing.

Noun used with modifier

  • site: The prevailing use value in the locality should not be assumed to automatically represent the value of a STW site rebus sic stantibus.
  • chess: He devised thousands of innovative chess rebus puzzles and mathematics puzzles, rebus puzzles and his rebuses rank among his most popular brain-teasers.