semiotics

English

WOTD – 11 September 2007

Etymology

Coined by John Locke from Ancient Greek σημειωτικός (sēmeiōtikós, “fitted for marking, portending”), from σημειοῦν (sēmeioûn, “to mark, interpret as a portend”), from σημεῖον (sēmeîon, “a mark, sign, token”), from σῆμα (sêma, “mark, sign”).

Noun

semiotics (uncountable)

  1. The study of signs and symbols, especially as means of language or communication.
  2. (dated) The study of medical signs and symptoms; symptomatology.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Further reading

  • semiotics in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • semiotics in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • semiotics at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

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