Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rebus
Re′bus
(rē′bŭs)
, Noun.
pl.
Rebuses
(rē′bŭs-ĕz)
. 1.
A mode of expressing words and phrases by pictures of objects whose names resemble those words, or the syllables of which they are composed; enigmatical representation of words by figures; hence, a peculiar form of riddle made up of such representations.
☞ A gallant, in love with a woman named Rose Hill, had, embroidered on his gown, a rose, a hill, an eye, a loaf, and a well, signifying, Rose Hill I love well.
2.
(Her.)
A pictorial suggestion on a coat of arms of the name of the person to whom it belongs. See
Canting arms
, under Canting
. Re′bus
,Verb.
T.
To mark or indicate by a rebus.
He [John Morton] had a fair library
rebused
with More in text and Tun under it. Fuller.
Webster 1828 Edition
Rebus
RE'BUS
,Noun.
1.
An enigmatical representation of some name, &c. by using figures or pictures instead of words. A gallant in love with a woman named Rose Hill, painted on the border of his gown, a rose, a hill, an eye, a loaf and a well, which reads, Rose Hill I love well.2.
A sort of riddle.3.
In some chimical writers, sour milk; sometimes, the ultimate matter of which all bodies are composed.4.
In heraldry, a coat of arms which bears an allusion to the name of the person; as three cups, for Butler.