symbolic
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++sym·bol·ic /sɪmˈbɒlɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/ ●○○ AWL adjective 1 SIGN/SYMBOLa symbolic action is important because of what it represents but may not have any real effect 象征的，象征性的symbolic gesture/act The protest was a symbolic gesture of anger at official policy. 这次抗议是对官方政策极度不满的一种表示。symbolic significance/importance a meeting of symbolic importance 具有重要象征意义的一次会议purely/largely symbolic It was a largely symbolic gesture from a government trying to win support. 这在很大程度上是政府希望赢得支持所作出的象征性姿态。2 representing a particular idea or quality 象征某一想法[品质]的 Each element of the ceremony has a symbolic meaning. 仪式的每一个元素都具有象征意义。symbolic of Today’s fighting is symbolic of the chaos which the country is facing. 今天的冲突体现了国家所面临的混乱局面。3 using or involving symbols （使用）符号的 A map is a form of symbolic representation. 地图是一种符号呈现物。 —symbolically /-kli/ adverbn COLLOCATIONSnounsa symbolic gestureThey fired arrows out to sea in a symbolic gesture of defiance.a symbolic actLighting the Olympic flame is a symbolic act.symbolic importance/significanceThe capture of the city was of great symbolic importance.adverbslargely symbolicThe vote was largely symbolic.purely symbolicOur protest was meant to be purely symbolic.
Examples from the Corpus
symbolic• The President's trip to Russia was mostly symbolic.• We feel that wearing a red ribbon to support AIDS victims is an important symbolic gesture.• Such language suggests that the riots were less about forcing material change than about making symbolic gestures.• It was symbolic of the whole thing.• There can be little doubt that this was in essence for Mrs Whitehouse a symbolic or political victory.• a symbolic painting• Why would anyone wish to seize the symbolic power in such a hounded institution and risk exposure and persecution?• These ten programs contend for a limited number of real and symbolic resources.• But meantime the story is rich in symbolic significance for the travails of our age.• The album cover, with the father of 12-tone music playing Ping-Pong, is an apt symbolic touch.purely/largely symbolic• Because Westminster retains responsibility for security, the vote was largely symbolic.• In fact, the measure has so many exceptions that some Republicans said its value is largely symbolic.• Our protest was meant to be purely symbolic.• The registry is largely symbolic and confers none of the legal rights and obligations of marriage.• But to describe the bill as largely symbolic is not to diminish its importance.• The government has made minor cuts on welfare and some changes of a largely symbolic nature.symbolic of• The low test scores are symbolic of how bad our public schools are.sym·bol·ic adjective →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
it what of action is a Corpus symbolic but because important represents
symbolic
sym‧bol‧ic AC /sɪmˈbɒlɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/
adjective1. a symbolic action is important because of what it represents but may not have any real effect
symbolic gesture/act
The protest was a symbolic gesture of anger at official policy.
symbolic significance/importance
a meeting of symbolic importance
purely/largely symbolic
It was a largely symbolic gesture from a government trying to win support.
2. representing a particular idea or quality:
Each element of the ceremony has a symbolic meaning.
symbolic of
Today’s fighting is symbolic of the chaos which the country is facing.
3. using or involving symbols:
A map is a form of symbolic representation.
—symbolically /-kli/ adverb
■ nouns
▪a symbolic gesture They fired arrows out to sea in a symbolic gesture of defiance.
▪a symbolic act Lighting the Olympic flame is a symbolic act.
▪symbolic importance/significance The capture of the city was of great symbolic importance.
■ adverbs
▪largely symbolic The vote was largely symbolic.
▪purely symbolic Our protest was meant to be purely symbolic.
sym‧bol‧ic AC /sɪmˈbɒlɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/
adjective1. a symbolic action is important because of what it represents but may not have any real effectsymbolic gesture/act
symbolic significance/importance
purely/largely symbolic
2. representing a particular idea or quality:
symbolic of
3. using or involving symbols:
—symbolically /-kli/ adverb
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