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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Symbol as a verb
It has just been called to my attention that "symbol" is listed as a verb in dictionaries. The definition under "symbol" in all cases (3 dictionary references) refers to the (far) more common form, "symbolize." Still, "symbol" as a verb is listed as acceptable English. Has anyone ever encountered the word "symbol" used as a verb; for example, "The cold coffee symbols the end of the relationship"? But such usage be considered acceptable?
Top answer
[nq:1]It has just been called to my attention that "symbol" is listed as a verb in dictionaries. The definition under ... as a verb; for example, "The cold coffee symbols the end of the relationship"?
- [nq:1]It has just been called to my attention that "symbol" is listed as a verb in dictionaries.
- The definition under ...
- as a verb; for example, "The cold coffee symbols the end of the relationship"?
- [/nq] I have not seen it used that way, but that does not mean much.
- Skitt I just got lost in thought.
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26 Answers
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[nq:1]It has just been called to my attention that "symbol" is listed as a verb in dictionaries. The definition under ... as a verb; for example, "The cold coffee symbols the end of the relationship"? But such usage be considered acceptable?[/nq]
I have not seen it used that way, but that does not mean much.
Skitt
I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
I have not seen it used that way, but that does not mean much.
Skitt
I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
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[nq:2]It has just been called to my attention that "symbol" ... end of the relationship"? But such usage be considered acceptable?[/nq]
[nq:1]I have not seen it used that way, but that does not mean much.[/nq]
It may have been more common in the past; the cites in the OED range from 1832 to 1874.
Google finds 729 hits for "symboled", but a lot of them seem to use it to mean "bearing a
[nq:1]I have not seen it used that way, but that does not mean much.[/nq]
It may have been more common in the past; the cites in the OED range from 1832 to 1874.
Google finds 729 hits for "symboled", but a lot of them seem to use it to mean "bearing a
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Thanks for the replies to my post.
First, I mistyped the final sentence, "But such usage be considered acceptable," which obviously should have included a "would" after "But."
What puzzles me is not that "symboled," etc. is listed in the dictionary, but that there's no qualification to its usage (such as "obsolete," "archaic," etc.).
And, yes, "symboled" as a past participle seems the
First, I mistyped the final sentence, "But such usage be considered acceptable," which obviously should have included a "would" after "But."
What puzzles me is not that "symboled," etc. is listed in the dictionary, but that there's no qualification to its usage (such as "obsolete," "archaic," etc.).
And, yes, "symboled" as a past participle seems the
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[nq:1]Thanks for the replies to my post. First, I mistyped the final sentence, "But such usage be considered acceptable," which ... legitimate (or standard) alternative to "symbolize," when Idoubt if any reader (say a thesis adviser) would accept such a usage?[/nq]
I expect that it still has some use among educated people, or it did until the last few decades (the end of its regular usage woul
I expect that it still has some use among educated people, or it did until the last few decades (the end of its regular usage woul
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There's always options such as "rare", or "more commonly symbolize", etc.
(Once again I can't make my mind up between "-ize" and "-ise"; stupid language.)
Andrew Gwilliam
To email me, replace "bottomless pit" with "silverhelm"
(Once again I can't make my mind up between "-ize" and "-ise"; stupid language.)
Andrew Gwilliam
To email me, replace "bottomless pit" with "silverhelm"
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[nq:1]There's always options such as "rare", or "more commonly symbolize", etc. (Once again I can't make my mind up between "-ize" and "-ise"; stupid language.)[/nq]
Always "symbolize" in the US, Andrew. What them Brits do is anyone's guess.
Liebs
Always "symbolize" in the US, Andrew. What them Brits do is anyone's guess.
Liebs
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[nq:2]There's always options such as "rare", or "more commonly symbolize", etc. (Once again I can't make my mind up between "-ize" and "-ise"; stupid language.)[/nq]
[nq:1]Always "symbolize" in the US, Andrew. What them Brits do is anyone's guess.[/nq]
Call me an old-fashioned liberal, but what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes is their concern alone.
Andrew G
[nq:1]Always "symbolize" in the US, Andrew. What them Brits do is anyone's guess.[/nq]
Call me an old-fashioned liberal, but what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes is their concern alone.
Andrew G
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[nq:1]Thanks for the replies to my post. First, I mistyped the final sentence, "But such usage be considered acceptable," which ... "symboled," etc. is listed in the dictionary, but that there's no qualification to its usage (such as "obsolete," "archaic," etc.).[/nq]
Merriam-Webster has precise definitions for those tags, so "symbol" as a verb must not qualify. They say:
The temporal labe
Merriam-Webster has precise definitions for those tags, so "symbol" as a verb must not qualify. They say:
The temporal labe
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[nq:1]Merriam-Webster has precise definitions for those tags, so "symbol" as a verb must not qualify. They say: The temporal label obsolete means that there is no evidence of use since 1755.[/nq]
Any clue as to the choice of date (given that any would be somewhat arbitrary)? I presume this has been taken as their end-point for Early Modern English.
[nq:1]The temporal label archaic means th
Any clue as to the choice of date (given that any would be somewhat arbitrary)? I presume this has been taken as their end-point for Early Modern English.
[nq:1]The temporal label archaic means th
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[nq:2]Merriam-Webster has precise definitions for those tags, so "symbol" as ... means that there is no evidence of use since 1755.[/nq]
[nq:1]Any clue as to the choice of date (given that any would be somewhat arbitrary)?[/nq]
I believe the last time this came up, someone pointed out that this was the date of Dr. Johnson's dictionary. For which there has been some hoopla of late, given th
[nq:1]Any clue as to the choice of date (given that any would be somewhat arbitrary)?[/nq]
I believe the last time this came up, someone pointed out that this was the date of Dr. Johnson's dictionary. For which there has been some hoopla of late, given th
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