noun

1. something that stands for, represents, or suggests another thing; esp., an object used to represent something abstract; emblem the dove is a symbol of peace
2. a written or printed mark, letter, abbreviation, etc. standing for an object, quality, process, quantity, etc., as in music, mathematics, or chemistry
3. Psychoanalysis an act or object representing an unconscious desire that has been repressed

Etymology: < Fr & L: Fr symbole < L symbolus, symbolum < Gr symbolon, token, pledge, sign by which one infers a thing < symballein, to throw together, compare < syn-, together + ballein, to throw: see ball

transitive verb symboled -·boled or symbolled -·bolled, symboling -·bol·ing or symbolling -·bol·ling