shortened form of SYMBOLOLATRY (cf. idolatry). So Symbolater, Symbolatrous a.
1871. Baring-Gould, Orig. & Developm. Relig. Beliefs, I. ix. 186. The Arabian monotheist cannot be excepted, for all his artistic advance was due to friction against symbolatrous peoples. Ibid. Of the immense debt of gratitude we owe to symbolatry it is impossible to speak too highly.
1916. Daily News, 27 March, 4. Blind Symbolaters.
