sym

{ }, n. See Simar. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Cimbal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. symbi`wsis a living together, symbioy^n to live together; sy`n with + &unr_; to live. ] (Biol.) The living together in more or less imitative association or even close union of two dissimilar organisms. In a broad sense the term includes parasitism, or
antagonistic symbiosis or
antipathetic symbiosis, in which the association is disadvantageous or destructive to one of the organisms, but ordinarily it is used of cases where the association is advantageous, or often necessary, to one or both, and not harmful to either. When there is bodily union (in extreme cases so close that the two form practically a single body, as in the union of algae and fungi to form lichens, and in the inclusion of algae in radiolarians) it is called
conjunctive symbiosis; if there is no actual union of the organisms (as in the association of ants with myrmecophytes),
disjunctive symbiosis. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ Gr. symbiwtiko`s. ] (Biol.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, or living in, a state of symbiosis. -- Sym`bi*ot"ic*al a. -- Sym`bi*ot"ic*al*ly adv. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. symbolus, symbolum, Gr. sy`mbolon a sign by which one knows or infers a thing, from symba`llein to throw or put together, to compare; sy`n with + ba`llein to throw: cf. F. symbole. Cf. Emblem, Parable. ] 1. A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience. [ 1913 Webster ]

A symbol is a sign included in the idea which it represents, e. g., an actual part chosen to represent the whole, or a lower form or species used as the representative of a higher in the same kind. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In crystallography, the symbol of a plane is the numerical expression which defines its position relatively to the assumed axes. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Theol.) An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. [ Gr. &unr_; contributions. ] That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They do their work in the days of peace . . . and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Share; allotment. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The persons who are to be judged . . . shall all appear to receive their symbol. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Chem.) An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In pure and organic chemistry there are symbols not only for the elements, but also for their grouping in formulas, radicals, or residues, as evidenced by their composition, reactions, synthesis, etc. See the diagram of Benzene nucleus, under Benzene. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Emblem; figure; type. See Emblem. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To symbolize. [ R. ] Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. symbolique. See Symbolic, a. ] (Theol.) See Symbolics. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. symbolicus, Gr. symboliko`s: cf. F. symbolique. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]