Pronunciation: [sˈɪmbə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "symbol" is spelled with a silent 'b', which can often cause confusion for English language learners. The correct IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈsɪmbəl/. The 'b' is not pronounced in the word, and the vocalic 'o' is pronounced like the sound in "sit". The stress is on the first syllable, which is pronounced as "sim". Keeping this in mind will help learners to spell and pronounce this common word correctly.
A symbol is a visual or abstract representation that carries a deep and often cultural or emotional significance beyond its literal meaning. It is a powerful tool used in communication and representation of ideas, concepts, or objects. Symbols can take the form of words, images, gestures, or actions, and their meanings are often universally recognized or shared within particular groups or cultures.
Symbols possess the ability to convey complex meanings or feelings in a concise and impactful manner. They serve as a means to express, reinforce, or challenge beliefs, values, and identities. Symbols can be found in many aspects of human life, including religious rituals, national identification, art, literature, and even common objects like traffic signs.
The significance of symbols is derived from their capacity to represent and evoke certain ideas or emotions. They can often transcend language barriers and communicate across diverse cultures, making them a powerful tool for cross-cultural understanding. Symbols can also be open to interpretation, allowing individuals to derive personal meaning from them.
Understanding and interpreting symbols is an integral part of studying and analyzing various disciplines such as literature, art history, psychology, and anthropology. It involves analyzing the context, cultural background, and intention behind the symbol's creation and usage.
In summary, a symbol is a representation that carries deeper meanings beyond its literal form and serves as a powerful tool for communication, expression, and cultural understanding.
1. A conventional sign serving as an abbreviation, such as the R at the beginning of a prescription. 2. In chemistry an abbreviation (the initial and sometimes one other letter) of the Latin name of an element, expressing, in chemical formulae, one atom of that element.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "symbol" has its roots in Latin and can be traced back to the Greek word "symbolon". In Greek, "symbolon" referred to a token or a mark used for recognition or identification. It was derived from the combination of two Greek words: "sym" meaning "together" or "with", and "bolon" meaning "a throw" or "a lump".
The concept behind "symbolon" was that two parts of a broken object, such as a pottery shard or a piece of metal, could be used as a form of identification or proof when brought together. These parts would fit together like a puzzle, ensuring the authenticity of the object or the individuals involved in an agreement or covenant.
The term "symbol" was then adopted into Latin as "symbolum", which retained the same meaning as the Greek word.
