symbolize

• POS: Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: sym=bol=ize

CIDE DICTIONARY

symbolize, v. i. [Cf. F. symboliser.].

•  To have a resemblance of qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize.  [1913 Webster]

  "The pleasing of color symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with harmony."  [1913 Webster]

  "They both symbolize in this, that they love to look upon themselves through multiplying glasses."  [1913 Webster]
•  To hold the same faith; to agree.  [1913 Webster]

  "The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized with the performers of them."  [1913 Webster]
•  To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically.  [1913 Webster]

symbolize, v. t. 

•  To make to agree in properties or qualities.  [1913 Webster]
•  To make representative of something; to regard or treat as symbolic.  Sir T. Browne.  [1913 Webster]
•  To represent by a symbol or symbols.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

symbolize, v.tr. (also -ise)
1 be a symbol of.
2 represent by means of symbols.

Derivative

symbolization n.

Etymology

F symboliser f. symbole SYMBOL

THESAURUS

symbolize

advert to, allude to, argue, be construed as, be taken as, bespeak, betoken, body forth, breathe, catch a likeness, character, characterize, chart, connote, delineate, denominate, denote, depict, designate, diagram, draw, emblematize, embody, epitomize, exemplify, express, figure, finger, hit off, illustrate, imply, import, indicate, limn, map, mean, metaphorize, mirror, name, notate, paint, personalize, personify, pick out, picture, picturize, point at, point out, point to, portray, print, refer to, register, render, represent, rub, schematize, select, signify, similize, specify, spell, stand for, stigmatize, suggest, symbol, take a rubbing, trace, trace out, trace over, typify, write

ROGET THESAURUS

symbolize

Indication

VB indicate, be the sign, of, denote, betoken, argue, testify, bear the impress, of, connote, connotate, represent, stand for, typify, symbolize, put an indication, put a mark, note, mark, stamp, earmark, blaze, label, ticket, docket, dot, spot, score, dash, trace, chalk, print, imprint, impress, engrave, stereotype, make a sign, signalize, underscore, give a signal, hang out a signal, beckon, nod, wink, glance, leer, nudge, shrug, tip the wink, gesticulate, raise the finger, hold up the finger, raise the hand, hold up the hand, saw the air, suit the action to the word, wave a banner, unfurl a banner, hoist a banner, hang out a banner, wave the hand, wave a kerchief, give the cue, show one's colors, give an alarm, sound an alarm, beat the drum, sound the trumpets, raise a cry, sign, seal, attest, underline, call attention to, give notice.

Representation

VB copy, drawing, sketch, drought, draft, plot, chart, figure, scheme, image, likeness, icon, portrait, striking likeness, speaking likeness, very image, effigy, facsimile, figure, figure head, puppet, doll, figurine, aglet, manikin, lay- figure, model, mammet, marionette, fantoccini, waxwork, bust, statue, statuette, ideograph, hieroglyphic, anaglyph, kanji, diagram, monogram, map, plan, chart, ground plan, projection, elevation (plan), ichnography, cartography, atlas, outline, scheme, view, radiograph, scotograph, sciagraph, spectrogram, heliogram, V, represent, delineate, depict, depicture, portray, take a likeness, catch a likeness, hit off, photograph, daguerreotype, snapshot, figure, shadow forth, shadow out, adumbrate, body forth, describe, trace, copy, mold, dress up, illustrate, symbolize, paint, carve, engrave, personate, personify, impersonate, assume a character, pose as, act, play, mimic, hold the mirror up to nature.