/ree"beuhs/ , n. , pl. rebuses .
1. a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables: Two gates and a head is a rebus for Gateshead.
2. a piece of writing containing many such representations.
[ 1595-1605; rebus by things (abl. pl. of res ), in phrase non verbis sed rebus not by words but by things ]