Also 6–7 sim-. [ad. F. symboliser, † -izer, ad. mod.L. symbolizāre, f. symbolum SYMBOL sb.1: see -IZE. Cf. It. simboleggiare to concur, simbolizzare to symbolize, Sp. simbolizar, Pg. symbolizar.]
I. † 1. intr. To agree or harmonize in qualities or nature (or in some quality); s. with, to partake of the qualities or nature of; hence often = to be like, resemble. (A technical term of early physics, said of elements or other substances having qualities in common; hence in general use.) Obs.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. ii. 265. But Aire turne Water, Earth may Fierize, Because in one part they do symbolize. Ibid. (1598), II. ii. IV. Columnes, 377. Such Shape and Name … As with their Natures neerly symbolize.
1613. Jackson, Creed, II. xxxi. § 15. Thrice happie is that Land … where ciuill pollicie and spiritual wisedome … doe rightly symbolize.
1642. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 50. The Brittaines in Wales, with whom … the Biscayner doth much symbolize in many things.
1687. H. More, Answ. Psychop. (1689), 134. It is as much Spiritual as before, and does not herein symbolize with Matter, but approves itself contrary thereto.
a. 1711. Ken, Sion, Poet. Wks. 1721, IV. 387. You … Would tune your Harp to symbolize with me.
1816. T. Taylor, Ess., VIII. 457. Our intellect, in a descending state, must aptly symbolize with the divinity of Ceres.
† b. To enter into union, combine, unite, as elements having qualities in common; to form a harmonious union or combination. Obs.
In quot. 1601 app. including the idea of transmutation of elements: cf. quots. 1591 in sense 1, and 1660 s.v. SYMBOLIZING ppl. a. 1 a.
1601. Weever, Mirr. Mart., F j. The fyre, red-blushing of his fact ashamed, Clad him in Smoke, the smoke to Aire he turned, That aire to water, water earth receiued, Earth like the fyre to melt to water burned: Earth, Water, Aire, Fyre, symboliz’d in one, To quench, or coole, Oldcasil’s Martyrdome.
a. 1628. F. Grevil, Sidney, iv. (1652), 51. Affirming that to associate by an uniform bond of conscience, for the protection … of Religion and Liberty, would prove a more solid union, and symbolize far better against their Tyrannies, than any Factious combination in policy.
† c. trans. To mix, combine, unite (elements or substances, esp. those of similar qualities). Obs.
1590. Marlowe, 2nd Pt. Tamburl., I. iv. Water and ayre being simbolisde in one Argue their want of courage and of wit.
1595. B. Barnes, Spir. Sonn., lxxx. A blast of winde, a momentarie breath, A watrie bubble simbolizde with ayre.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 351. The disease … proceedeth of too great aboundance of fleme and choler, simboliz’d together.
1610. Markham, Masterp., I. iv. 12. These humours are simbolized or mixt through euery part of the body.
† d. To liken or compare, as having similar qualities or attributes. Obs. rare–1.
1652. Hermeticall Banquet, B 2. I strike againe at this little World Man:… and the Head I Symbolize with the Elementary upper Regions, Fire and Aer.
2. intr. To agree in belief or practice (esp. religious); to hold the same opinions or principles; to comply, conform. Frequent in 17th c., esp. in controversial use; now rare or Obs.
1605. Answ. Supposed Discov. Romish Doctr., 12. We haue not now an other Queene Marie … to be ioyned in mariadge with a potent Prince…, simbolizing with husband, conformitie in countrie discipline is neuer like to breed you scruples in this behalfe.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), I. 338. With the Jew they symbolize in circumcision, in refraining from swine’s flesh, in detestation of images.
1656. Artif. Handsom., 154. [They] oft symbolize, and comply with the vulgar humor.
1732. Neal, Hist. Purit., I. 69. To continue the use of those Garments, was in his [sc. Hooper’s] opinion, to symbolize with Antichrist.
1845. Miall, in Nonconf., V. 73. In early life Dr. Arnold appears to have been a republican,… of late years he symbolised principally with the whigs.
1869. A. W. Haddan, Apost. Succession, i. (1879), 30. Those who profess to be Churchmen, but in this particular symbolize with … Nonconformists.
II. 3. trans. a. To represent by a symbol or symbols. Also absol.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 70. Under obscure and doubtfull titles symbolizing somewhat else.
c. 1620. A. Hume, Brit. Tongue (1865), 7. The thing symbolized I cal the sound quhilk the mouth utteres quhen the eie sees the symbol. Ibid., 16. To symboliz right, the sound of the voual is first to be observed.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., iii. (1867), 59. A change of moral dispositions so entire as to be properly symbolized by calling it a new birth.
1838. De Morgan, Ess. Probab., 47. Twelve halfpence … are thrown up, required the probability of all the cases which can happen, and which we shall symbolise thus: (H3T9) means that there are three heads and nine tails.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, i. (1841), 55. They would go on singing, poetically symbolizing, as our modern Painters paint, when it was no longer from the innermost heart.
1864. [see SYMBOLIZATION 2 b].
b. To be a symbol of; to represent or stand for, as a symbol; to typify.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1316. Many … say, that the male wezill engendreth with the female by her eare, and that she bringeth forth her yoong at the mouth: which symbolizeth … the making and generation of speech. Ibid., Gloss., To Symbolize, that is, by certeine outward signes, to signifie some hidden things: Thus an eie symbolizeth vigilancy.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, i. (1841), 9. But consider whether Bunyan’s Allegory could have preceded the Faith it symbolizes! The Faith had to be already there,… of which the Allegory could then become a shadow.
1874. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. lxxxiv. 6. As the valley of weeping symbolizes dejection, so a ‘well’ symbolizes ever-flowing salvation and comfort.
1879. H. Phillips, Addit. Notes Coins, 1. The owl, which is the crest, symbolizes wisdom and learning.
4. To make into or treat as a symbol; to regard as symbolic or emblematic. rare.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VII. iv. 347. Some pious and Christian pens have onely symboliz’d the same [sc. the rainbow] from the mystery of its colours. Ibid. (1658), VII. i. (ed. 4), 421. We reade in Pierius, that an Apple was the Hieroglyphick of love…; and there want not some who have symbolized the Apple of Paradise unto such constructions.
1903. [implied in SYMBOLIZER 3].
III. 5. To formulate or express in a creed or confession of faith: cf. SYMBOL sb.1 1.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., Symbolize … 4. To formulate into a creed or confession of faith; as, the Council of Nicea symbolized the orthodox faith.
1912. [see SYMBOLIZED 2].
