# semiotics

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌsɛm.iˈɒt.ɪks/ · frequency rank #53,846

## Definitions
1. The study of signs and symbols, especially as means of language or communication.
2. The study of medical signs and symptoms; symptomatology.

## Etymology
Coined by John Locke from Ancient Greek σημειωτικός (sēmeiōtikós, “fitted for marking, portending”), from σημειόω (sēmeióō, “to mark, interpret as a portend”), from σημεῖον (sēmeîon, “a mark, sign, token”), from σῆμα (sêma, “mark, sign”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/semiotics