Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Emblem

Em′blem

,
Noun.
[F.
emblème
, L.
emblema
,
-atis
, that which is put in or on, inlaid work, fr. Gr. [GREEK] a thing put in or on, fr. [GREEK] to throw, lay, put in; [GREEK] in + [GREEK] to throw. See
In
, and
Parable
.]
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;
as, a balance is an
emblem
of justice; a scepter, the
emblem
of sovereignty or power; a circle, the
emblem
of eternity.
“His cicatrice, an emblem of war, here on his sinister cheek.”
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
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 associated
. Between emblem and symbol the distinction is slight, and often one may be substituted for the other without impropriety. See
Symbol
. 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 vessels
.

Em′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.
[Gr. to cast in, to insert.]
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.
To represent by similar qualities.

Definition 2024


Emblem

Emblem

See also: emblem and emblém

German

Noun

Emblem n (genitive Emblems, plural Embleme or Emblemata)

  1. emblem, symbol, logo

emblem

emblem

See also: Emblem and emblém

English

Noun

emblem (plural emblems)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Inlay; inlaid or mosaic work; something ornamental inserted in a surface.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)
  4. A picture accompanied with a motto, a set of verses, etc. intended as a moral lesson or meditation.

Related terms

Synonyms

Translations

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)

  1. emblem

Declension

References


Swedish

Noun

emblem n

  1. emblem

Declension

Inflection of emblem 
Singular Plural
Indefinite Definite Indefinite Definite
Nominative emblem emblemet emblem emblemen
Genitive emblems emblemets emblems emblemens