semiology

or se·mei·ol·o·gy

[ see-mee-ol-uh-jee, sem-ee-, see-mahy- ]

noun

1. the study of signs and symbols; semiotics.

semiology

/ ˌsiːmɪ-; ˌsɛmɪəˈlɒdʒɪk; ˌsɛmɪˈɒlədʒɪ; ˌsiːmɪ- /

noun

1. another word for semiotics

Derived Forms

• ˌsemiˈologist, noun
• semiologic, adjective

Other Words From

• se·mi·o·log·ic [see-mee-, uh, -, loj, -ik, sem-ee-, se-mahy-], semi·o·logi·cal adjective
• semi·olo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiology¹

1885–90; < Greek sēmeîo ( n ) sign + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiology¹

C17 (in the sense ``sign language''): from Greek sēmeion sign + -logy

Example Sentences

Though the butterfly was apparently the key piece of semiology — meant, Mr. Yeo told the BBC, to represent Charles’s metamorphosis from prince to sovereign and his longstanding love of the environment — it was the painting’s primary color that almost instantaneously gave new meaning to the idea of “seeing red.”

From New York Times

And in the semiology of clothing, a dress often suggests “woman.”

From New York Times

At that time I was in graduate school, preparing my dissertation in the semiology of cinema.

From Salon

There’s even a new word — the “mangeosphère,” or roughly the eating sphere — coined by the French daily Le Monde for these discussions on the semiology of a ham sandwich or an apple.

From New York Times

A heart pendant made of rhinestones and poured glass, part of the semiology Saint Laurent used to designate a favorite model in a runway show, joined a display of replica jewels.

From New York Times