Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Emblem
Em′blem
,Noun.
1.
Inlay; inlaid or mosaic work; something ornamental inserted in a surface.
[Obs.]
Milton.
2.
A visible sign of an idea; an object, or the figure of an object, symbolizing and suggesting another object, or an idea, by natural aptness or by association; a figurative representation; a typical designation; a symbol;
“His cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek.” as, a balance is an
emblem
of justice; a scepter, the emblem
of sovereignty or power; a circle, the emblem
of eternity. Shak.
3.
A picture accompanied with a motto, a set of verse, or the like, intended as a moral lesson or meditation.
Syn. – Sign; symbol; type; device; signal; token.
– Sign
, Emblem
, Symbol
, Type
. Sign is the generic word comprehending all significant representations. An emblem is a visible object representing another by a natural suggestion of characteristic qualities, or an habitual and recognized association; as, a circle, having no apparent beginning or end, is an
. Between emblem and symbol the distinction is slight, and often one may be substituted for the other without impropriety. See emblem
of eternity; a particular flag is the emblem
of the country or ship which has adopted it for a sign and with which it is habitually associatedSymbol
. Thus, a circle is either an emblem or a symbol of eternity; a scepter, either an emblem or a symbol of authority; a lamb, either an emblem or a symbol of meekness. “An emblem is always of something simple; a symbol may be of something complex, as of a transaction . . . In consequence we do not speak of actions emblematic.” C. J. Smith.
A type is a representative example, or model, exhibiting the qualities common to all individuals of the class to which it belongs; as, the Monitor is a
. type
of a class of war vesselsEm′blem
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Emblemed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Embleming
.] To represent by an emblem; to symbolize.
[R.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Emblem
EM'BLEM
,Noun.
1.
Properly, inlay; inlayed or mosaic work; something inserted in the body of another.2.
A picture representing one thing to the eye, and another to the understanding; a painted enigma, or a figure representing some obvious history, instructing us in some moral truth. Such is the image of Scaevola holding his hand in the fire, with these words,'agere et pati fortiter Romanum est.' to do and to suffer with fortitude is Roman.3.
A painting or representation, intended to hold forth some moral or political instruction; an allusive picture; a typical designation. A balance is an emblem of justice; a crown is the emblem of royalty; a scepter, of power or sovereignty.4.
That which represents another thing in its predominant qualities. A white robe in scripture is an emblem of purity or righteousness; baptism, of purification.EM'BLEM
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2024
Emblem
emblem
emblem
English
Noun
emblem (plural emblems)
- A representative symbol, such as a trademark or logo.
- The trucks were emblazoned with the emblem of the Red Cross and were not supposed to be targeted.
- Shakespeare
- His cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek.
- Something which represents a larger whole.
- The rampant poverty in the ethnic slums was just an emblem of the group's disenfranchisement by the society as a whole.
- 2014 October 21, Oliver Brown, “Oscar Pistorius jailed for five years – sport afforded no protection against his tragic fallibilities: Bladerunner's punishment for killing Reeva Steenkamp is but a frippery when set against the burden that her bereft parents, June and Barry, must carry [print version: No room for sentimentality in this tragedy, 13 September 2014, p. S22]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Sport):
- Yes, there were instances of grandstanding and obsessive behaviour, but many were concealed at the time to help protect an aggressively peddled narrative of [Oscar] Pistorius the paragon, the emblem, the trailblazer.
- Inlay; inlaid or mosaic work; something ornamental inserted in a surface.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)
- A picture accompanied with a motto, a set of verses, etc. intended as a moral lesson or meditation.
Related terms
Synonyms
Translations
representative symbol
|
|
representation of a larger whole
|
External links
- emblem in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- emblem in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Danish
Noun
emblem n (singular definite emblemet, plural indefinite emblemer)
Declension
Inflection of emblem
| neuter gender |
Singular | Plural | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| indefinite | definite | indefinite | definite | |
| nominative | emblem | emblemet | emblemer | emblemerne |
| genitive | emblems | emblemets | emblemers | emblemernes |
References
- “emblem” in Den Danske Ordbog