semiotics

Coined by John Locke from Ancient Greek σημειωτικός (sēmeiōtikós, “fitted for marking, portending”), from σημειόω (sēmeióō, “to mark, interpret as a portend”), from σημεῖον (sēmeîon, “a mark, sign, token”), from σῆμα (sêma, “mark, sign”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌsɛm.iˈɒt.ɪks/

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• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌsɛm.iˈɑt.ɪks/, /ˌsiː.miˈɑt.ɪks/, /ˌsiː.maɪˈɑt.ɪks/

semiotics (uncountable)

1. The study of signs and symbols, especially as means of language or communication.

   Holonym: social science

2. (dated) The study of medical signs and symptoms; symptomatology.

• semiology
• symbology

• “semiotics”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “semiotics”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “semiotics”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

• misticoes, societism