Webster's English Dictionary

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symbolism

sym.bol.ism \'sim-b*-.liz-*m\ n 1: the art or practice of using symbols 
   esp. by investing things with a sym bolic meaning or by expressing the 
   invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations : 
   as 1a: the use of conventional or traditional signs in the representation 
   of d ivine beings and spirits 1b: artistic imitation or invention that is a 
   method of revealing or sugges ting immaterial, ideal, or otherwise 
   intangible truth or states 2: a system of symbols or representations