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Symbolic vs Representative - What's the difference?

symbolic | representative | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between symbolic and representative

is that symbolic is pertaining to a symbol while representative is typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.

As a noun representative is

one who may speak for another in a particular capacity, especially in negotiation.

symbolic

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Pertaining to a symbol.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
  • , volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […].  Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.}}
  • Referring to something with an implicit meaning.
  • Derived terms

    * symbolical * symbolically * symbolics

    representative

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
  • Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?
    If you took all the fools out of the legislature, it wouldn't be a representative body anymore. — Texas State Senator Carl Parker.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who may speak for another in a particular capacity, especially in negotiation.
  • I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract.
  • A member of a legislative or governing body who represents a constituency.
  • She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention.
  • One that is taken as typical of its class.
  • (US, politics) A member of the .
  • All representatives face re-election every two years.
  • Company agent who visits potential purchasers, salesman.
  • Synonyms

    * rep * See also