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Symbol vs Legend - What's the difference?

symbol | legend |

As nouns the difference between symbol and legend

is that symbol is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object while legend is a story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

As verbs the difference between symbol and legend

is that symbol is to symbolize while legend is to tell or narrate; to recount.

symbol

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
  • $ is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.
    '
  • ' is the octothorpe symbol .
  • ''Chinese people use word symbols for writing.
    The lion is the symbol''' of courage; the lamb is the '''symbol of meekness or patience.
  • Any object, typically material, which is meant to represent another (usually abstract) even if there is no meaningful relationship.
  • The dollar symbol has no relationship to the concept of currency or any related idea.
  • (linguistics) A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
  • A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
  • The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols .
  • Visible traces or impressions, made using a writing device or tool, that are connected together and/or are slightly separated. Sometimes symbols represent objects or events that occupy space or things that are not physical and do not occupy space.
  • (crystallography) The numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.
  • That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • They do their work in the days of peace and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.
  • Share; allotment.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • The persons who are to be judged shall all appear to receive their symbol .

    Derived terms

    * status symbol * typographical symbol

    Verb

  • To symbolize.
  • (Tennyson)

    See also

    * punctuation

    legend

    English

    (wikipedia legend)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
  • The legend of Troy was discovered to have historical basis.
  • A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
  • The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends . Here's the real story.
  • A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
  • Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.
  • A person of extraordinary accomplishment.
  • Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.
  • A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
  • According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.
  • An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
  • A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records; a cover story.
  • According to his legend , he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.
  • * 1992 , edition, ISBN 067173458X, page 115:
  • If the documents are needed to establish "a light legend ," meaning a superficial cover story, no steps are taken to make sure that if someone calls the college or motor vehicle department, the name on the document will be registered.
  • * 2003 , Rodney Carlisle, , ISBN 0028644182, page 105:
  • Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend . He joined the Nazi Party.
  • * 2005 , , ISBN 1591146607, page 25:
  • Both the agent's legend and documents were intended to stand up against casual questions from Soviet citizens, such as during a job interview, or a routine police document check, such as were made at railway stations.
  • (UK, Irish, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.
  • I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend .

    Synonyms

    * (story of unknown origin) myth * (story embellished to become implausible) myth, tall tale * (leading protagonist) hero * (person of extraordinary accomplishment) hero * (key to symbols on a map or chart) guide, key * (text on a coin) inscription * (fabricated backstory for a spy) cover, cover story * (worthy friend) brick

    Derived terms

    * campus legend * legend in one's own lunchtime * legend in one's own mind * legend in one's own time * living legend * urban legend

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To tell or narrate; to recount.
  • (Bishop Hall)