semiotic

[ see-mee-ot-ik, sem-ee, see-mahy- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to signs.
2. of or relating to semiotics.
3. Medicine/Medical. of or relating to symptoms; symptomatic.

noun

1. semiotics.

semiotic

/ ˌsiːmɪ-; ˌsɛmɪˈɒtɪk /

adjective

1. relating to signs and symbols, esp spoken or written signs
2. relating to semiotics
3. of, relating to, or resembling the symptoms of disease; symptomatic

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiotic¹

First recorded in 1615–20; from Greek sēmeiōtikós “observant of (medical) signs, significant,” equivalent to sēmeiō-, verbal stem of sēmeioûn “to interpret as a sign” (derivative of Greek sēmeîon “sign”) + -tikos adjective suffix; semantic ( def ), -ic ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiotic¹

C17: from Greek sēmeiōtikos taking note of signs, from sēmeion a sign

Example Sentences

Marcel Danesi is professor emeritus of linguistic anthropology and semiotics at the University of Toronto.

From Salon

“For 30 years, Owens’s creations … have been as much about semiotics as status,” Haramis writes.

From New York Times

“I feel like having a direct line to the senses from a marketing standpoint is so important because it’s a nonverbal, it’s a semiotic vehicle,” Loranger said.

From Seattle Times

Marcel Danesi is Professor Emeritus of linguistic anthropology and semiotics at the University of Toronto.

From Salon

The symbols themselves shift, even though the structure of the semiotics is always the same...

From Salon