semiotics

English

WOTD – 11 September 2007

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌsɛm.iˈɒt.ɪks/
    • (file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌsɛm.iˈɑt.ɪks/, /ˌsiː.miˈɑt.ɪks/, /ˌsiː.maɪˈɑt.ɪks/

Noun

semiotics (uncountable)

  1. The study of signs and symbols, especially as means of language or communication.
    Holonym: social science
  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, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911
  • semiotics at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

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