/ ˈsɪmbl; NAmE / noun
1.
symbol (of sth) a person, an object, an event, etc. that represents a more general quality or situation :
White has always been a symbol of purity in Western cultures.
Mandela became a symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle.
➡ note at sign
2.
symbol (for sth) a sign, number, letter, etc. that has a fixed meaning, especially in science, mathematics and music :
What is the chemical symbol for copper?
A list of symbols used on the map is given in the index.
—see also sex symbol , status symbol
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting the Apostles' Creed): from Latin symbolum symbol, Creed (as the mark of a Christian), from Greek sumbolon mark, token, from sun- with + ballein to throw.