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Glite Dictionary
nonsymbolic

nonsymbolic

1 7.3
A way of showing things that does not use signs and shows real objects directly
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈsɪmbəlɪk/
: no simbólico
  • Among animals, only two species, songbirds and humpback whales, possess the capacity to recombine learned sounds into many different sequences and produce large repertoires of affective nonsymbolic songs.

Examples

  • He expressed his feelings in a nonsymbolic way, choosing to show affection through his actions rather than words.

  • These functions were communicated most often via nonsymbolic means, including reaching or moving closer (to request); struggling or using aggression (to protest); and arm flapping, crying, or laughing (to comment).

    Academic text (2013)

  • The artist's work was nonsymbolic, focusing on simple shapes and direct colors instead of abstract representations.

  • In the therapy session, the child's nonsymbolic communication was evident through gestures and facial expressions rather than spoken language.

Synonyms

unmetaphorical
vsnonsymbolic
1 8.7

Using plain words that mean exactly what they say

emphasizes concrete, direct meaning beyond merely avoiding figurative speech
unsymbolic
vsnonsymbolic
1 8.4

Does not give a hidden meaning and only shows what is seen

is about direct, concrete meaning rather than abstract or representational
nonmetaphorical
vsnonsymbolic
1 7.0

Using words that mean exactly what they say

focuses on concrete directness rather than on figurative or abstract expression
nonabstract
vsnonsymbolic
1 5.3

Real and clear, about things you can see or touch

adds emphasis on directness and lack of representational meaning

Antonyms

symbolic
156 4.3

A way of showing meaning using a color, object or action

How Symbolic

allegorical
  • Literature
7 7.7
symbolic
156 4.3
figurative
5 5.9
nonsymbolic
1 7.3

Surface Forms

nonsymbolic positive

Morphology

nonsymbolic = symbolic (transparent) = non + symbol + ic

Formed by adding the negative prefix 'non-' to the adjective 'symbolic', yielding the straightforward meaning 'not symbolic'.

Etymology

Nonsymbolic breaks into non- meaning 'not' and symbolic meaning 'using symbols' or 'signs'. Think of counting real apples instead of written numbers, so nonsymbolic means 'not using symbols', direct and concrete.