arbitrary symbol

a linguistic sign (a written or spoken word) that bears no obvious resemblance to the thing or concept signified (see referent). Because the vast majority of words in all languages are considered to fall into this category, arbitrariness is often cited as an important characteristic of human languages; this idea is of central significance in the structuralist approach to linguistics (see structuralism). Compare iconic symbol. See also phonetic symbolism.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

influencing machine

the subject of a delusion of persecution in which the individual feels controlled by a machine that serves as the instrument of persecution.