(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is a ~ of a society or an aspect of life seems to represent it because it is very typical of it.
To them, the monarchy is the special ~ of nationhood...
She was put under house arrest two years ago but remained a powerful ~ in last year’s election.
N-COUNT: with supp
2.
A ~ of something such as an idea is a shape or design that is used to represent it.
I frequently use sunflowers as ~s of strength.
N-COUNT: with supp
3.
A ~ for an item in a calculation or scientific formula is a number, letter, or shape that represents that item.
What’s the chemical ~ for mercury?
N-COUNT
4.
see also sex ~ , status ~