symbolic

symbolic
    adj 1: relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols;
           "symbolic logic"; "symbolic operations"; "symbolic
           thinking" [syn: {symbolic}, {symbolical}]
    2: serving as a visible symbol for something abstract; "a crown
       is emblematic of royalty"; "the spinning wheel was as
       symbolic of colonical Massachusetts as the codfish" [syn:
       {emblematic}, {emblematical}, {symbolic}, {symbolical}]
    3: using symbolism; "symbolic art"
    

Symbolics \Sym*bol"ics\, n.
   The study of ancient symbols; esp. (Theol.), that branch of
   historic theology which treats of creeds and confessions of
   faith; symbolism; -- called also {symbolic}.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Symbolic \Sym*bol"ic\, n. [Cf. F. symbolique. See {Symbolic},
   a.] (Theol.)
   See {Symbolics}.
   [1913 Webster] Symbolic
    

Symbolic \Sym*bol"ic\, Symbolical \Sym*bol"ic*al\, a. [L.
   symbolicus, Gr. symboliko`s: cf. F. symbolique.]
   Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a
   symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs;
   representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight
   and knowledge. -- {Sym*bol"ic*al*ly}, adv. --
   {Sym*bol"ic*al*ness}, n.
   [1913 Webster]

         The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by
         such symbolical actions as he himself appointed. --Jer.
                                                  Taylor.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Symbolical delivery} (Law), the delivery of property sold by
      delivering something else as a symbol, token, or
      representative of it. --Bouvier. Chitty.

   {Symbolical philosophy}, the philosophy expressed by
      hieroglyphics.
      [1913 Webster]
    

SYMBOLIC, adj.  Pertaining to symbols and the use and interpretation
of symbols.

    They say 'tis conscience feels compunction;
    I hold that that's the stomach's function,
    For of the sinner I have noted
    That when he's sinned he's somewhat bloated,
    Or ill some other ghastly fashion
    Within that bowel of compassion.
    True, I believe the only sinner
    Is he that eats a shabby dinner.
    You know how Adam with good reason,
    For eating apples out of season,
    Was "cursed."  But that is all symbolic:
    The truth is, Adam had the colic.
                                                                  G.J.
    

75 Moby Thesaurus words for "symbolic":
      allegoric, allegorical, anagogic, associational, betokening,
      connotational, connotative, definable, demonstrative, denominative,
      denotational, denotative, designative, diagnostic, emblematic,
      evidential, exhibitive, expressive, extended, extensional, figural,
      figurative, full of meaning, full of point, full of substance,
      glossematic, iconic, identifying, ideographic, idiosyncratic,
      implicative, indicating, indicative, indicatory, individual,
      intelligible, intensional, interpretable, lexemic, lexical,
      meaning, meaningful, meaty, metaphorical, morphemic, naming,
      pathognomonic, peculiar, phrasal, pithy, pointed, pregnant,
      readable, referential, representative, semantic, semantological,
      semasiological, sememic, semiotic, sententious, signalizing,
      significant, significative, signifying, substantial, suggestive,
      symbolistic, symbological, symptomatic, symptomatologic, tokening,
      transferred, typical, verbal