a visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.-any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation.-an abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion.-that which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.-share; allotment.-an abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the latin or new latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, c for carbon, na for sodium (natrium), fe for iron (ferrum), sn for tin (stannum), sb for antimony (stibium), etc.  see the list of names and symbols under element.-to symbolize.